By Lindsay Gaesser, SDA Media Relations
Eugene, Ore.—The No. 4 Arizona State men’s golf team captured its fourth title of the season at the Duck Invitational on Tuesday. The Sun Devils were the only team to finish under par, shooting a tournament total of 1-under 863 (288-291-284) at the par-72, 7,020-yard Eugene Country Club.
“I’m very proud of this squad for winning this week," said ASU head coach Tim Mickelson. "We don’t have to play in those types of conditions very often, but we persevered and did an excellent job in less than ideal weather.”
Arizona State led the entire tournament, winning by six strokes over No. 13 Washington. Rounding out the top five teams were No. 28 San Diego State in third, tournament host No. 8 Oregon in fourth, and Oregon State in fifth.
“This team is a bunch of fighters and competitors," said Mickelson. "They never give up, and they fight until the end. That’s the only reason why we were able to win today. We went from three ahead to five down, and then came back again to win by six shots.”
ASU TEAM TOURNAMENT VICTORIES UNDER TIM MICKELSON (FALL 2011- PRESENT)
2014-15: 2015 Arizona Intercollegiate (Jan. 26-27, 2015); Amer Ari Invitational (Feb. 5-7, 2015); 2015 Prestige at PGA WEST (Feb. 16-18, 2015); Duck Invitational (Mar. 23-24, 2015)
2013-14: ASU Thunderbird Invitational (Mar. 21-23, 2014)
2011-12: Bill Cullum Invitational (tied for team title but no playoff) (Sept. 17-18, 2011)
FOUR TITLES AND COUNTING: The last time the Sun Devils won four titles in a season was back in 2003-04, under the tutelage of Randy Lein. To date, this is the most team titles that Arizona State has won in a single season with head coach Tim Mickelson at the helm.
Dominating the individual leader board as well, three Sun Devils recorded top-five finishes. Junior Jon Rahm nabbed his second individual title of the season, while juniors Max Rottluff and Alberto Sanchez finished in second and fifth, respectively.
“When you have the best 1-2 punch in the country, you’re always going to have a chance to win," said Mickelson of his dynamic duo of Rahm and Rottluff. "Thanks to Jon and Max leading our charge, we were able to accomplish just that today.”
JON RAHM COLLEGIATE TOURNAMENT WINS
2015 Duck Invitational (Mar. 23-24)
2014 Bill Cullum Invitational (Oct. 20-21)
2014 ASU Thunderbird Invitational (Mar. 21-23)
2013 San Diego Classic (Mar. 11-12)
2012 Bill Cullum Invitational (Oct. 21-22)
MOST @ASUMENSGOLF TOURNAMENT WINS
Phil Mickelson (1988-92), 16
Billy Mayfair (1984-88), 8
Alejandro Canizares (2002-06), 6
Charlie Gibson (1972-75), 6
Paul Casey (1997-2000), 6
Todd Demsey (1991-95), 5
Jon Rahm (2012-Present), 5
Howard Twitty (1969-72), 4
Scott Watkins (1977-79), 4
Dan Croonquist (1976-79), 4
As a squad, the Sun Devils led the 15-team field in three categories—par-four scoring, birdies carded (45), and eagles carded (2). Dominating individual stat categories, Sanchez was 2-under on par-four holes and carded the most pars (39), while Rottluff and Galletti were 8-under and 6-under, respectively, on par-five holes. Sinking 14 birdie putts, Rottluff finished on top in that category as well.
“We brought home the maximum amount of hardware that we could--first place team, and first and second place individually," said Mickelson. “Now it's time to rest for a few days, and then we will start our preparations for our home event."
Up next, the Sun Devils return home to host and defend the title at the ASU Thunderbird Invitational, to be held Apr. 3-4. The tournament will be played at ASU Karsten Golf Course, with 36 holes on the first day of competition and 18 on the final day.
| 1 | Arizona State | 288 | 291 | 284 | 863 | -1 |
| 1 | Jon Rahm (1) | 71 | 71 | 70 | 212 | -4 |
| 2 | Max Rottluff (2) | 71 | 72 | 70 | 213 | -3 |
| T5 | Alberto Sanchez (4) | 72 | 72 | 73 | 217 | +1 |
| T19 | Nicolo Galletti (3) | 74 | 76 | 71 | 221 | +5 |
| T60 | Tobias Eden (5) | 78 | 77 | 76 | 231 | +15 |
| T52 | Broc Johnson (I) | 75 | 75 | 79 | 229 | +13 |