Doug Ghim lifted Texas to the title with his 18th hole birdie
(Texas Athletics Photo)
HUTCHINSON, KS (April 26, 2017) - Down late but unfazed Texas has won their fifth consecutive Big 12 Men's Champion. Doug Ghim birdied the 18th hole with just one group remaining on the course and it was enough to propel the Longhorns to the title at Prairie Dunes Country Club.
Trailing by 11 shots following the first round the 15-ranked team in the country forced itself back into contention as they were a Big 12 Championship record 39 strokes better from round one to two. The strong play continued into the the third round and after 54-holes Texas found themselves tied for the lead with No. 2 Oklahoma State. During the final round Oklahoma State led for much of the day until Texas rallied down the stretch. Battling the wind and chilly conditions all tournament long Texas finished 48-over and one shot in front of the Cowboys who were 49-over.
Kansas (+52) placed third in what was their highest finish in the event since 2000, No. 13 Texas Tech (+63) was fourth while 12th ranked Oklahoma (+65) was fifth.
Ghim, who produced the go ahead birdie, finished tied for low team honors with 54-hole individual co-leader Scottie Scheffler, both whom shared second place at 8-over. The senior teammates overcame difficult starts to lead their team to the title. Ghim started the week with a 10-over 80 while Scheffler started with a 7-over 77.
The remainder of the Texas lineup contributed as well throughout the week; Gavin Hall (22nd; +19), Steven Chervony (T28; +22) and Spencer Soosman (T24; +26).
In the medalist race Chase Hanna, 7-over, capped off his Kansas career with a one shot victory in the medalist race. 3-over for his round after 12 holes, Hanna battled back over the last few holes with birdies on Nos. 13, 14, a bogey on the 15th, but then two more birdies on the 16th and 17th holes. For the week Hanna tallied rounds of 78-69-70-70.
"It was a fun day, played solid golf," Chase Hanna told Kansas Athletics. "The goal was to not have a double-bogey because those have killed me the first two days. But it feels great, its always been a tournament that we certainly look forward to every year and to come out on top is pretty fun."
Behind the Texas duo of Ghim and Scheffler in second place it was Zach Bauchou of Oklahoma State in fourth at 11-over and Max McGreevy of Oklahoma in fifth at 12-over.
Third round medalist co-leader Brad Dalke of Oklahoma ended up in a tie for ninth at 15-over.
-Texas and Kansas Athletics contributed to this story
ABOUT THE
Big 12 Championship
72 hole men's collegiate championship of the Big
12 Conference. Team (best four scores out of five
players each round) and individual competitions.
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