Playing in perfect March conditions, scores heated up on the first day of the Fresno State Lexus Classic at Belmont Country Club on Monday.

Taking full advantage was No. 1 ranked Cal, which sizzled to a 36-hole team score of 26 under, leading the host and second-place Bulldogs by a commanding 22 strokes.

The Golden Bears had three players in the top five, including leader Michael Kim at 11 under and former Clovis West standout Michael Weaver.

Kim was a birdie machine, notching 15 total en route to rounds of 68 and 65. He leads three players by four strokes.

One of those in second place at 7 under was Weaver, the runner-up at the United States Amateur last summer. He didn't disappoint his hometown fans with rounds of 69 and 68. Weaver's first round included an eagle on the par-5 9th, and he ended the long day of 36 holes with a birdie on the par-5 18th.

Fresno State's Troix Tonkham found himself in the thick of the individual race late in the second round, but a quadruple-bogey 8 on the par-4 16th derailed his momentum. The freshman from Ventura did birdie his final hole and finished in a tie for ninth (68-73) at 3 under.

Ex-Porterville standout Nate Jessup eagled No. 18 in his second round to give the Bulldogs a boost after finishing with a 1-under 71.

The final round gets under way at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday in what is Fresno State coach Mike Watney's final season before retirement.

50th Annual Lexus Classic

Final round: Tuesday at 7:30 a.m.

Where: Belmont Country Club (par 72)