Defending NCAA Champion Braden Thornberry picked up his eighth career win
(Ole Miss Athletics Photo)
SHOAL CREEK, AL (September 26, 2017) -
Braden Thornberry picked up right where he left off. In the first appearance of his junior year Thornberry closed with birdies on the final two holes to finish 9-under and as the winner of the Shoal Creek Invitational.
Beginning the last round at Shoal Creek Country Club in second place, Thornberry fired a 2-under 70 on Tuesday to win by a stroke. In addition to his birdies on Nos. 17 and 18, Thornberry birdied the 1st and bogeyed the 12th.
The victory for the defending national champion was the eighth of his career. Thornberry moved himself into position for a final round rally thanks to a second round 6-under 66. After opening in 1-under 71, Thornberry exploded on Monday with eight birdies against just two bogeys.
“I didn’t have my best stuff this week, but I am proud of the way I was able to manage my game and still keep myself in the mix,” Braden Thornberry told Ole Miss Athletics. “To win the first tournament of the year, individually, is a huge confidence boost going into the rest of the tournaments this fall.”
Thornberry remains #1 in the Golfweek/AmateurGolf.com World Amateur Rankings.
Walker Cupper Paul McBride of Wake Forest took second at 8-under, UAB teammates William Walker III and R.J. Keur shared third at 7-under while in fifth it was Wake Forest's Cameron Young posting 5-under.
In the team race Wake Forest came out on top. The Demon Deacons finished the tournament 12-under and 10-shots clear of runner-up Liberty (-2).
Wake Forest was powered to already their second win of the year thanks in large part to the play of top-five finishers McBride and Young. Eric Bae also had a strong showing finishing 2-under and tied for ninth.
The remainder of the team-five included North Florida (3rd; -1), Ole Miss (4th; E) and Georgia Southern (5th; +1).
-Ole Miss Athletics contributed to this story
View results for Graeme McDowell Invitational
ABOUT THE
Graeme McDowell Invitational
Men's college tournament played hosted by the
University of
Alabama-Birmingham. Team (best four scores out of
five
players
each round) and individual competitions.
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