TUCSON, Ariz. - The fourth-ranked Sun Devil men's golf team continues play in Arizona as it heads to the 2024 National Invitational on Monday and Tuesday (Jan. 29-30). The teams will play 36 holes on Monday followed by 18 on Tuesday.
THE WAGR RANKINGS
Six Sun Devils are in the top-100 World Amateur Golf Ranking, as led by Preston Summerhays (9), Wenyi Ding (13) and Josele Ballester (19).
SUN DEVIL TOP-100 WAGR RANKINGS (JAN. 22, 2023)
9-Preston Summerhays
13-Wenyi Ding
19-Josele Ballester
39-Luke Potter
58-Michael Mjaaseth
84-Ryggs Johnston
SUN DEVIL TITLE WINNERS
ASU won the team title in 2019 (814/-50), 2007 (840/-24) and 2004 (856/-8). Sun Devils to win the individual title are Alex del Rey in 2019 (199/-17), Chun An Yu (-17) in 2017, Niklas Lemke in 2007 (9-under 207) and 2003 NCAA championshp Alejandro Canizares (4-under 212)
ABOUT THE COURSE
The Omni Tucson National is the historic host of countless PGA Tour and NCAA events, as the Catalina Course has long provided a fair test of golf to players of every caliber. In addition to the original Catalina Course designed by Robert von Hagge & Bruce Devlin, the Club at Tucson National proudly opened the all-new Tom Lehman-designed desert style Sonoran Course in 2005. The strategic tree-lined bunkering amid gentle contours presents remarkable views and a true test of golf. The two distinctly different 18-hole championship courses are on more than 260 acres in the foothills of the dramatic Santa Catalina Mountains.
LAST TIME AT THE OMNI
The Sun Devils took third at the 2023 National Invitational with a 22-under 842 (274-288-280). Preston Summerhays finished fourth at 9-under par 207 (66-71-70) that included 13 birdies. Sophomore Michael Mjaaseth also placed in the top 20 with a 3-under 210 (69-75-69).
FALL RECAP
The Sun Devils had a very successful fall tournament schedule, consistently placing in the top five. The Sun Devils are 184-35-3 in head-to-head play stroke play (after going 143-27-3 last year) including 41-8 in the fall. Preston Summerhays won the Sahalee Players Championship to earn a PGA chance in Napa Valley at the Fortinet Championship. Arizona State finished out their season with a match play victory at Cypress Point, where Ryggs Johnston, Nick Prieto, and Luke Potter had wins over Texas.
SUN DEVIL MEN'S GOLF PAST 10 TOURNAMENTS
Consolation Victory/Copper Cup (Jan. 14-15)
1st/Cypress Point Match Play Championship (Oct. 30-31)
3rd/Williams Cup (Oct. 9-10)
3rd/Ben Hogan Collegiate (Oct. 2-3)
4th/Illini Invitational (Sept. 15-17)
2nd/Sahalee Players Championship (Sept. 9-10)
T-5th/NCAA Championship (May 26-30)
1st/NCAA Las Vegas Regional (May 15-17)
2nd/Pac-12 Championship (April 28-30)
1st/ASU Thunderbird (April 14-15)
THE TUCSON LINEUP
UNDER PAR PRESTON
Preston Summerhays has been a force to be reckoned with during his time with ASU. He earned his way into the Fortinet Championship after winning the Sahalee Players Championship in a playoff after firing a 5-under 211 (72-67-72). Because of his finish, he was named Pac-12 Golfer of the Week. During his freshman season, he was named Pac-12 Freshman of the Year.
BOLD BALLESTER
Jose Ballester was the 2023 European Amateur champion, which included a 10-under in the first round. He has earned honorable mention All-America honors in each of his first two seasons. In 2022-23, he had a 70.56 stroke average in 13 tournaments (39 rounds) that included three top-10 finishes in his final five tournaments. In his fall campaign, he had two top-10's in four tournaments.
READY TO GO RYGGS
Ryggs Johnston had five rounds at par or better throughout four tournaments during the fall 2023 season. In 2021, Johnston took 3rd place at the NCAA Championship with 72-63-71-69=275/-5(156) on the scorecard. He was also the 2022-23 Pac-12 Men's Golf Scholar-Athlete of the Year who earned first-team College Sports Communicators (CSC) at-large All-America honors.
LOW SCORING LUKE
Luke Potter appeared in all four tournaments for the Sun Devils during the fall season. At the Ben Hogan Collegiate the sophomore was one of seven players to shoot par or better in all three rounds. His score of 206 (-4) helped him lead the team for a T7 finish, his second top-10 finish of the year. He also defeated Texas' Keaton Vo 4&3 in the championship match of the CPC Invitational.
DETERMINED DING
Wenyi Ding was the 2022 US Junior Amateur Champion and is currently the youngest champion on the China Tour. He joined the team after the 2023 fall semester.
WONDER WILLIAMS (INDIVIDUAL IN TUCSON)
Connor Williams is an impressive freshman who was the Southern California Jr. Amateur Champion. Helping aid the Sun Devils to their victory at the Cypress Point Classic, Williams went 3 & 2 with partner Luke Potter to defeat Stanford. He was also ranked #16 in 2023 class.
NOT ON THIS TRIP
COOL COELHO
Kiko Coelho has played in 13 career tournaments (40 rounds) and has six rounds in the 60s and 15 at par or better with a 73.11 stroke average entering 2023-24. To kick off the spring campaign, he and partner Luke Potter defeated Sam Lape and Rockey Chapman of USC to go 3 & 2 at the Copper Cup.
MIGHTY MICHAEL
Michael Mjaaseth appeared in four tournaments during the fall campaign and competed as an individual at the Sahalee Players Championship. He shot a round of 67 (-5) en-route to a T15 finish at the Ben Simpson Collegiate Invite. He was named Pac-12 Freshman of the Year, the sixth Sun Devil to win the award since its inception in 1999 and the fourth consecutive ASU men's golfer to achieve the honor.
FIRED UP FIFA
A two-time Thailand Amateur Open Champion, Fifa Laopakdee is a shining freshman. He won his first collegiate tournament in his first start at the Maui Jim Intercollegiate at 15-under (201). In the fall campaign, he also shot a round of 70 (E) in the second round of the Fighting Illini Invitational. He is also the youngest to ever qualify for the Thai National Team (13 years, 9 months).
PRECISE PIKULTHONG
So far this season, Anawin Pikulthong has appeared in one tournament, competing as an individual at the Oregon State Invitational. He won the 2022 US Amateur qualifier and is a two-time Rolex All-American. Pikulthong was also a 2021 Wydham Cup participant.
SUPER SALVANERA
Gabe Salvanera has played in 12 tournaments in his career (36 rounds) and has a 72.97 stroke average, with seven rounds in the 60s and 12 at par or better. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Business in the spring of 2023. Before becoming a Sun Devil, he received the 2020 NJCAA Division II Phil Mickelson Outstanding Freshman Award at South Mountain Community College.
NOBLE NICK
A junior orange bowl champion, Nick Prieto competed in his first tournament for the Sun Devils at the Oregon State Invitational. He placed first (68-70-71=209) shooting 4-under. Prieto was also the Florida Boys Junior Champion and a Rolex Second Team All-American.