Feb. 24, 2009
Three Sun Devils finished in the top-20 and No. 7 ASU shot a combined 12-over par 300 (77-72-74-78) on the final day of the John Hayt Invitational in Ponte Vedra, Fla. Their 29-over par 893 (290-303-300) earned them second place overall, finishing just eight strokes shy of LSU.
"This is a great test of golf and you really have to be on top of your game here," head coach Randy Lein said. "I am proud of my guys but we just couldn't pull it out today."
Even on a challenging course with gusting winds, James Byrne ended the day in sole possession of fifth place with a 2-over par 218 (68-73-77). Stephan Gross had his best round of the tournament, shooting an even par 72, earning him a 5-over par 221 (74-75-72) and a tie for ninth place. A 2-over par 74 on the final day moved Knut Borsheim up five spots, from 22nd to 17th. He completed the tournament with a 10-over par 226 (74-78-74).
Jesper Kennegard shot a 13-over par 229 (74-77-78), placing him in 30th, while Tristan Bierenbroodspot closed out the invitational with a 20-over par 236 (77-82-77).
After play commenced, all the competitors took part in the PLAYERS Cup, which is a three-hole challenge played on the 16th, 17th, and 18th holes of TPC Sawgrass stadium course. Borsheim and Gross each concluded the battle for the Cup with an even par 12, and ASU tied for second in the contest with an even par 48.