Albuquerque, New Mexico – Collecting a cumulative 12-over 876 (286-296-294) the No. 11 Arizona State men's golf team captured its first team title of the season, winning the 2016 Albuquerque NCAA Regional in convincing fashion taking the honor by a 12-stroke advantage.
By virtue of garnering their seventh all-time regional title, the Sun Devils officially punched their ticket to the 2016 NCAA Finals hosted in Eugene, Oregon. The Maroon and Gold have now clinched a spot in the finals in 12 of the last 15 years, and will make their 30th appearance in the past 33 seasons.
Mission Accomplished. On to Eugene for the National Championship. Great effort by my squad this week. Team Win, Individual Win. #ncaas
— Tim Mickelson (@goodwalkspoiled) May 18, 2016
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Playing at a tough tournament 77.38 average the par-72, 7555-yard, UNM Championship Course paired with high winds bested nearly every competitor in the field, excluding Arizona State's own Jon Rahm.
Representing the only participant of in the field of 75 to close the event under-par, the senior fired a three-day four-under 212 en route to earning his second-consecutive NCAA Regional title and second-consecutive win. After making the turn at two-over, Rahm would play the back at two-under allotting the Spaniard a five-stroke wire-to-wire victory. The World Amateur No. 1, who is now a perfect 12-for-12 on the season in top-10 finishes, has accumulated four wins in 2015-16 and 11 all-time, marking the second-most in program history.
A #ForksUp to team and @littleJRmaza on @NCAA Regional titles @Pac12Network @pac12 @BenHoganAward @jeffmetcalfe pic.twitter.com/IoYVOiIVHN
— ASUmensgolf (@asumensgolf) May 18, 2016
As a contingent, the Sun Devils collectively finished strong, with four of the five competing members including the aforementioned Rahm closing within the top-20.
Junior Jared du Toit, who jockeyed for position atop the leaderboard for the entirety of the tournament, posted his fifth top-10 finish of the season signing off on a 4-over 220 to close in a tie for fifth.
http://pitchforkposts.tumblr.com/post/144575787392/seven-regional-titles-for-asumensgolf-after-2016Seniors Alberto Sanchez and Max Rottluff each closed positioned within the top-20. Sanchez posted a final-round 3-over 75 to garner a 13th place finish. Rottluff carded recorded a steady even-par 72 to close in a tie for 17th.
Up next, the Sun Devils take a week long hiatus for tournament play in preparation for the NCAA Finals to be hosted Eugene Country Club May 27-June 1.
Should be a great NCAA men's final: 22 of the top 25 teams (and all of the top 19) will be in Eugene.
— Ryan Lavner (@RyanLavnerGC) May 18, 2016