Lemke adding name to list of ASU greats

For Niklas Lemke, the top-ranked player in men’s college golf, there is much at stake entering his last two tournaments for Arizona State.

If Lemke can post scores equal to or lower than his current 69.87 scoring average for this season, he could unseat former All-American Paul Casey for the lowest season average in ASU history. The two are currently tied for that distinction.

That miniscule scoring average has led to two victories this season — the only two of Lemke’s career — but another notch in the win column in three weeks at the NCAA championships would put Lemke in some elite company at ASU alongside former champions Jim Carter, Phil Mickelson, Todd Demsey and Alejandro Canizares.

“Niklas is probably as good of a player as I’ve ever coached,’’ said ASU coach Randy Lein, whose list of hot shots at ASU includes Casey, Canizares, Jeff Quinney and Chez Reavie. “I would love to see him play well at the regional, and then set the record (for season average) at nationals. Niklas certainly has the game to accomplish that goal.’’

Lemke’s “game” has led to the No. 1 ranking in the country and eight top-five finishes in 10 tournaments, yet only two wins on his resume.

“Niklas looks so good on the range, you wonder why he doesn’t play even better than he does,’’ said Lemke’s roommate/teammate Fredrik Andersson, who has known Lemke since they grew up playing hockey and golf against each other as children in Sweden.

“I mean, Niklas hits shots that don’t seem possible.’’

But Lemke can also get a little wild off the tee, and his talent hasn’t always matched up in the “W’’ column. As an example, Andersson compares Lemke to Canizares, who won six times as a Sun Devil.

“Alejandro was not always that impressive, but he was so consistent,’’ Andersson said. “Niklas? His potential is so great, but he has not had as good of results as Alejandro.’’

The 23-year-old Lemke, who recently was named Pac-10 player of the year despite not winning the conference tournament, has two more chances to add to his resume. The NCAA West Regional is scheduled for May 17-19 at Karsten Golf Course in Tempe, followed by the NCAA championships May 30-June 2 in Williamsburg, Va.

“It’s not the most important part of my career here, but it is a good motivator,’’ Lemke said of his quest for the ASU scoring average record. “It would be nice to leave with, chiefly because there are so many great names on that list.’’

It’s been an interesting four years in a foreign country for Lemke, who grew up in Linkoping, Sweden, where he learned the game from his father, Bertil, a pro at Linkoping Golf Club. Despite having to overcome a language barrier, Niklas flourished on the course and in the classroom, where he earned All-Academic honors — up until this year.

“I guess I just came down with a case of senior-itis,’’ said Lemke, who graduated last week with a dual degree in sociology and family studies. “I admit I didn’t (study) as much this year, mainly because it was hard to prioritize school when you’re with a bunch of guys you like so much, and that you might not ever see again.’’

As for his future in the pro ranks, it can wait a couple of more months, Lemke said.

“When I first came here, I thought I’d only be around for two years at the most,’’ he said. “But everything and everybody just grew on me.

“Now I’d like to win (an NCAA championship) for the team. I have a lot of faith in the team we’re taking to regionals and nationals. I know we’re going to do well here (at regionals), and if we come together (at nationals), it could happen.’’

What’s ironic about the closing chapter for Lemke is he will be counted on more than just for his score. That’s because ASU’s team captain, Phil Telliard, has not been playing well and won’t be on the team for the postseason.

“Niklas is not a natural leader, but with Phil not with us, Niklas is trying really hard to be the leader to help our team,’’ Andersson said.

“Personally, I think he can get it done, because Niklas is playing so well that all of us just naturally look up to him.’’