Hilltoppers make miraculous comeback, finish tied for second after sudden-death playoff
HOUSTON, Texas - The 7th-ranked St. Edward's men's golf team made up a 12-shot deficit on the final day to finish in a three-way tie with West Florida and North Alabama at the NCAA National Tournament at Memorial Park Golf Club. The Hilltoppers then lost in the sudden-death playoff to end the tournament in a tie for second place.
St. Edward's (284-285-286-274=1129) shot nine-under par on the back nine as a team to catch third-round leader West Florida (292-275-276-286=1129). North Alabama (290-281-284-274=1129) also shot four-under par as a team on the final day to complete the three-way tie after 72 holes.
"It was a great finish to a great year," head coach Ryan Murphy said. "We played the best round of this year in the final round today. We made up 12 shots in the final seven holes and that was unbelievable."
Sophomore Collin Mayer (72-71-70-70=283) finished tied for 11th, while Junior Andrew Workman (70-69-70-75=284) ended tied for 17th place. Sophomore Matt Smith (71-73-73-68=285) finished tied for 20th place while senior Jeff Howard (71-76-73-66=286) tied for 28th place. Freshman Matthew Hatcher (72-72-78-70=292) ended tied for 60th place.
South Carolina-Aiken's Jeff Goff (67-71-70-70=278) tied for first with Florida Southern's Jude Estaquio (63-74-73-68=278), but Goff won the medalist honors with a victory on the first playoff hole.
St. Edward's finished in third place in the only other NCAA National Tournament Appearance in 2005.
"We can now say that St. Edward's is legitimate contender year in and year out," Murphy said.
The Hilltoppers end their season with arguably the best results to date. St. Edward's won five tournaments on the year which included their second-straight Heartland Conference Championship and first-ever South Central Regional Championship.