Diaz Leads Mexico to Silver Medal at World University Games

NAKHONNAYOK, Thailand. -- USC Aiken golfer Roberto Diaz represented Mexico in the World University Games from August 14-17, shooting a four-day total of 287 (-1) to lead his team to a silver medal finish. The rising junior’s score left him in a tie for fourth place among individuals, just one stroke back of a bronze medal, with fellow countryman Yoshio Yamamoto.

Mexico’s four-day total of 864 (+5) left them just one stroke back of host Thailand, who took the gold medal. Japan won the bronze medal, finishing two behind Mexico at 866. Ming-chuan Chen of Chinese Taipei won the gold medal with a seven-under par 281, five strokes ahead of Great Britain’s Charles Ford and Japan’s Yuki Usami, who tied for second at two-under par. Four-man teams from sixteen different countries and 85 total players made up the field for the event.

Diaz, a Veracruz, Mexico, native, opened with a two-over par 74 in round one, but bounced back to play the final three rounds at three-under par and finish as one of just five golfers under par.

The World University Games, also known internationally as the Universiade, are held every two years. Similar to the Olympics, both the Summer Universiade and Winter Universiade are held. The first Universiade was held in Turin, Italy, in 1959 and this year marked the 24th Summer Universiade.

The event marks the second international event that Diaz has represented Mexico in during the last year. He was also a member of the three-man Mexican team at the World Amateur Championships in South Africa in October of 2006.