GOLF / SOUTHERN SECTION INDIVIDUAL CHAMPIONSHIP : Royal’s Marciano Finishes Second Behind Woods

SANTA BARBARA — Anthony Marciano didn’t look like a guy who was all broken up about finishing as second banana.

Truth be told, he was pretty thrilled with the notion, especially since a player of considerable repute--a guy named Tiger Woods--was the lone player to finish in front of him Monday.

“It’s an honor,” Marciano said. “I’m an unknown. . . . His round was awesome.”

Marciano, a junior from Royal High, shot a solid one-under-par 70 to finish in a tie for second, four shots behind Woods in the Southern Section Individual Golf Championships at La Cumbre Country Club.

Woods, a senior from Anaheim Western High and the two-time defending U.S. Junior Amateur champion, shot a sparkling five-under 66, marking the third time he has won the section title.

Woods, who started on the 10th hole, blew away the 130-player field with a five-under 30 over the first nine holes.

Marciano, the Marmonte League champion, shot a two-under 34 on the front nine to finish in a three-way tie for second. Marciano earned the second-place plaque on the second hole of sudden death by making a 60-footer for birdie.

The low 22 individuals advanced to the CIF-Southern California Golf Assn. Championships June 6 at Redlands Country Club. The only other player from the region to qualify for the event was Brandon Jones of Agoura--and he had to work overtime.

Jones was one of seven players to finish with a 77. Trouble was, there were only four SCGA berths left, so seven players teed off in a sudden-death shootout for the right to advance.

Jones sliced his tee shot on the second playoff hole, but punched a seven-iron through a stand of towering eucalyptus trees and two-putted for par to advance.

Ryan O’Neil of Rio Mesa just missed the playoff with a 78.