10 questions with South Eugene golfer Owen Davis-Piger
Owen Davis-Piger is a golfer for South Eugene.
The senior won the boys invitational with a 3-under-par 69 among 72 individuals competing at the Eugene Country Club on April 15.
He carded a two-day score of 3-over-par 147 to finish tied for third as an individual at the 6A state championship last year.
In a Q&A, Davis-Piger talks about his recent victory, adjustments he made with his coach and committing to play Division I golf at the University of California, Irvine.
1: You won your first invitational at the Eugene Country Club, take me through your performance?
I got up to a pretty good start because I was even par through four and made four straight birdies to shoot 31 on the front nine. I definitely played well on the front and on the back nine there were a few things I could have cleaned up. I three putted 12 (hole) and bogeyed 17 (hole) from next to the green which wasn't great. I definitely could have cleaned that up a little but was able to ride the momentum from the front nine.
2: What adjustments did you work with your coach on leading up to the invitational?
He worked on some stuff with me after the last tournament and then we spent a lot of time hitting a lot of short putts, which is really valuable. It's a big emphasis for our team.
3: Why did you choose to commit to UC Irvine?
It was the best balance of academics and early high-level golf. Also, great weather, great place to play golf and get better. It was a really good combination of everything I was looking for and the coach is great. I'm deciding between economics or data science (for a major) but still undecided.
4: What do you feel you are capable of heading into districts and state?
I feel like I'm capable of playing better than I did last year. I think I'm a better golfer right now, so if I play well, I think I'm capable of competing with the best players in the state and having a chance in the postseason.
5: What got you interested in playing golf?
My dad played golf and he introduced me to it when I was like 8 years old. I did an after-school program at my school and really liked it. I was 9 when I played my first tournament, and I've been doing it ever since.
6: What is your favorite thing about golf?
I like how it's an individual sport, and it's all on you. ... Also every round is a little bit different, based on the golf course you're playing you have to adapt. I think it takes a lot of creativity too, being able to hit different shots and solve problems when you hit one off line and you're behind a tree or something and figuring out what to do.
7: Who is your favorite athlete and why?
If I go golfer, probably Tiger Woods. The competitiveness is kind of unmatched that he brings. If you have to hit a big shot or make a putt to win a tournament, he always does it. I think that's something that every golfer wants to be able to do, like hit the clutch shots.
8: Do you have any superstitions or pre-meet rituals?
No, just get to the course an hour before and warm up. I'll usually putt for the first 10 minutes then I'll go to the range and hit balls for like 35 to 40 minutes and then come back and putt and chip for the last 10 to 15 minutes.
9: What is the strongest part of your game?
I'd probably say my wedge and iron play like 60 to 150 yards. Short iron is probably what I'm best at right now.
10: What is something most people don't know about you?
I speak French. There's a French immersion program that I've been in since kindergarten. I'm pretty close to fluent, I think I can hold my own in conversation.
Edith Noriega is a sports reporter for The Register-Guard. You may reach her at ENoriega@gannett.com and follow her on X at @Noriega_Edith.
This article originally appeared on Register-Guard: 6A South Eugene golfer Owen Davis-Piger on his recent victory
