PHOENIX - Sun Devil Men's Golf claimed a dominant victory while Preston Summerhays repeated as the Individual Champion at the 2024 Thundebird Collegiate.
Hosted by Arizona State at Papago Golf Club, Head Coach Matt Thurmond's squad put together a historical performance on their way to a second-consecutive Thunderbird Collegiate Team Title. The Sun Devils finished an incredible 38-under to win by 28 strokes, the largest margin of victory by any team at the Thunderbird Collegiate since at least 2000. It is the 22nd time ASU has kept the Thunderbird Collegiate trophy home.
A big reason why the Maroon & Gold were able to secure the victory was the play of Preston Summerhays. He won the Thunderbird Collegiate Individual crown for the second straight year. He becomes the first golfer to win it back-to-back since Jon Rahm won three-straight from 2014-16. Summerhays joins an exclusive list of multi-time winners of the Thunerbird Collegiate, one that includes Sun Devil Men's Golf legends Jon Rahm and Phil Mickelson. After a five-way tie had developed at the top of the standings midway through the round, Summerhays (-12/201) used an incredible run on the back nine to create separation and ultimately pull away for the two stroke win.
The top of the individual leaderboard is full of Sun Devils, as Arizona State was on a different level than the rest of the competition. Ryggs Johnston (-10/203) finished in second place, meaning the top-two finishers were both in Maroon & Gold. Not far behind was Wenyi Ding (-9/204), who continues the incredible start to his career by tying for third. The fourth Sun Devil in the Top-5 is Michael Mjaaseth (-8/205) who took advantage of his opportunity to play as an individual this weekend. Five of the Top-7 in the final player standings were from Arizona State, an indication of the dominant effort. Rounding out the group was Josele Ballester, who finished tied for seventh (-7/206).
QUOTABLES
"Outstanding performance from our group today," Head Coach Matt Thurmond reflected. "From start to finish they did not take the foot off the gas and put together a complete three rounds."
"It is always nice to win the home tournament in front of your fans," Coach Thurmond added. "We appreciate everyone that came out to support us and hope that they enjoyed what they saw. This team feeds off the energy of their surroundings and that is why the presence of our fans is so crifical."
"I am proud of Preston for repeating as champion," Coach Thurmond concluded. "It is not an easy thing to do, hence the exclusivity of the company he is now in. Joining a list with Jon Rahm and Phil Mickelson should be a dream for any Sun Devil golfer. He continues a special career full of accomplishments."
NOTABLES
-- Preston Summerhays becomes the first repeat winner of the Thunderbird Collegiate since Jon Rahm won three straight from 2014-16
-- He is the third-straight Sun Devil to win the Thunderbird Collegiate (Summerhays, '23; Leow, '22)
-- A golfer from Arizona State has claimed four of the past five and seven of the last ten individual titles at the Thunderbird Collegiate
-- Arizona State wins back-to-back Thunderbird Collegiate team titles for the 11th time (first since 2018 & 2019; third time in Matt Thurmond era)
-- ASU now has three wins as a team this season, having previously won the Cabo Collegiate in March and the CPC Invitational in October.
UNDER MATT THURMOND (22)
2023-24: (3)
Thunderbird Collegiate (April 12-13, 2024)
Cabo Collegiate (Mar. 3-5, 2024)
CPC Invitational (Oct. 30-31, 2023)
2022-23 (2)
NCAA Las Vegas Regional (May 15-17, 2023)
Thunderbird Collegiate (April 14-15, 2023)
2021-2022 (3)
NCAA Stockton Regional (May 16-18, 2022)
Southwestern Invitational (Jan. 24-26, 2022)
Isleworth Invitational (Oct. 17-19, 2021)
2020-2021 (2)
Amer Ari Intercollegiate (Feb. 2-4, 2021)
The Goodwin (Mar. 25-27)
2019-2020 (3)
Maui Jim Intercollegiate (Sept. 13-15, 2019)
Trinity Forest Invitational (Sept. 22-24, 2019)
Cabo Collegiate (Mar. 1-3, 2020)
2018-2019 (4)
ASU Thunderbird Collegiate (April 12-13)
National Invitational/Tucson (Mar. 18-19)
Lamkin Grips San Diego Classic (Mar. 11-12)
John Burns Intercollegiate (Feb. 21-23)
2017-2018 (3)
ASU Thunderbird Invitational (April 14-15)
Bandon Dunes Intercollegiate (Mar. 11-13)
Maui Jim Intercollegiate (Sept. 22-24)
2016-2017 (2)
ASU Thunderbird Invitational (Mar. 18-19)
Alister MacKenzie Invitational (Oct. 10-11)
-- 22nd Thunderbird Collegiate Team Championship for Sun Devil Men's Golf (third since it moved to Papago in 2019)
-- 13th time ASU has swept the team and individual titles at the Thunderbird Collegiate (second straight year accomplishing the feat)
-- Summerhays becomes the fourth golfers to win multiple Thunderbird Collegiate (Jon Rahm 3 times; Phil Mickelson 2 times ; J.J. Spahn, San Diego State 2 times)
-- Beat out a field that included four of the Top-10 (No. 8 Washington, No. 9 Arizona, No. 10 Texas Tech), seven of the Top-30 (No. 14 Oklahoma, No. 19 New Mexico, #27 Oklahoma State), ten of the Top-50 (No. 32 UCLA, No. 33 Baylor, No. 43 SMU), and 16 of the Top-67 (No. 56 Washington State, No. 57 Utah, No. 59 Oregon State, No. 61 Houston, No. 66 Colorado, No. 67 San Francisco)
-- Preston Summerhays is the individual medalist in a field that included 8 of the Top-25, 12 of the Top-50, and 21 of the Top-100 golfers in the nation.
-- Largest Margin of Victory since at least 2002
2024: ASU 28 strokes
2015: ASU 25 strokes
2014: ASU 20 strokes
2017: ASU 20 strokes
2009: ASU 18 strokes
2011: USC 14 strokes
2019: ASU 12 strokes
2008: ASU 9 strokes
2012: California 8 strokes
2003: Arizona State 8 strokes
ROUND BREAKDOWN
Preston Summerhays (-12/201/1st)
TODAY'S ROUND: 68 (-3)
BIRDIES (6): Hole 1 (Par 5; 561 yards), Hole 3 (Par 4; 467 yards), Hole 12 (Par 4; 302 yards), Hole 14 (Par 4; 510 yards), Hole 15 (Par 5; 610 yards), Hole 16 (Par 4; 442 yards)
NOTABLES
-- Second-consecutive Thunderbird Collegiate medalist honors
-- Fourth career collegiate title
-- Only Sun Devil golfer to birdie 14
Ryggs Johnston (-10/203/2nd)
TODAY'S ROUND: 66 (-5)
EAGLE (1): Hole 12 (Par 4; 302 yards)
BIRDIES (5): Hole 2 (Par 4; 386 yards), Hole 5 (Par 4; 386 yards), Hole 9 (Par 5; 570 yards), Hole 10 (Par 4; 525 yards), Hole 18 (Par 4; 485 yards)
NOTABLES
-- Highest finish of his career
-- 10th career Top-10 finish
-- Third eagle of the tournament (two in round two)
Wenyi Ding (-9/204/T3rd)
TODAY'S ROUND: 68 (-3)
BIRDIES (5): Hole 1 (Par 5; 561 yards), Hole 2 (Par 4; 386 yards), Hole 7 (Par 4; 487 yards), Hole 9 (Par 5; 570 yards), Hole 15 (Par 5; 610 yards)
NOTABLES
-- Finished in the Top-10 in five of his first six collegiate tournaments
-- Already the fourth Top-5 finish of his career
Michael Mjaaseth (-8/205/T5th)
TODAY'S ROUND: 69 (-2)
BIRDIES (4): Hole 1 (Par 5; 561 yards), Hole 7 (Par 4; 487 yards), Hole 9 (Par 5; 570 yards), Hole 15 (Par 5; 610 yards)
NOTABLES
Josele Ballester (-7/206/T7th)
TODAY'S ROUND: 67 (-4)
BIRDIES (4): Hole 1 (Par 5; 561 yards), Hole 3 (Par 4; 467 yards), Hole 12 (Par 4; 302 yards), Hole 18 (Par 4; 485 yards)
NOTABLES
-- Bogey-free round; only Sun Devil to do that at the Thunderbird Collegiate
Connor Williams (+1/214/T34th)
TODAY'S ROUND: 70 (-1)
BIRDIES (3): Hole 2 (Par 4; 386 yards), Hole 12 (Par 4; 302 yards), Hole 15 (Par 5; 610 yards)
NOTABLES
Kiko Coelho (+3/216/T52nd)
TODAY'S ROUND: 70 (-1)
BIRDIES (5): Hole 2 (Par 4; 386 yards), Hole 5 (Par 4; 386 yards), Hole 9 (Par 5; 570 yards), Hole 15 (Par 5; 610 yards), Hole 16 (Par 4; 442 yards)
NOTABLES
Nicholas Prieto (+4/217/T58th)
TODAY'S ROUND: 74 (+3)
BIRDIES (4): Hole 1 (Par 5; 561 yards), Hole 5 (Par 4; 386 yards), Hole 6 (Par 4; 496 yards), Hole 12 (Par 4; 302 yards)
NOTABLES
-- Only Sun Devil to birdie the seventh hole today.
UP NEXT
Since joining the Pac-12 in 1978-79, no program has won more men's golf league titles than Arizona State (12). The program will host the 2024 Pac-12 Men's Golf Championship at Desert Forest Golf Club April 26-28. The three-day, 6-count-5, 72-hole stroke play competition enters its 64th championship in 2024. In the 63 stagings, the host has won 18 times, including Stanford in 2023 and Washington in 2022 at Aldarra Golf Club in Sammamish, Wash. ASU has won a dozen Pac-12 team titles (2008, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996, 1995, 1993, 1990, 1989, 1981 and 1979).
Hosted by Arizona State at Papago Golf Club, Head Coach Matt Thurmond's squad put together a historical performance on their way to a second-consecutive Thunderbird Collegiate Team Title. The Sun Devils finished an incredible 38-under to win by 28 strokes, the largest margin of victory by any team at the Thunderbird Collegiate since at least 2000. It is the 22nd time ASU has kept the Thunderbird Collegiate trophy home.
A big reason why the Maroon & Gold were able to secure the victory was the play of Preston Summerhays. He won the Thunderbird Collegiate Individual crown for the second straight year. He becomes the first golfer to win it back-to-back since Jon Rahm won three-straight from 2014-16. Summerhays joins an exclusive list of multi-time winners of the Thunerbird Collegiate, one that includes Sun Devil Men's Golf legends Jon Rahm and Phil Mickelson. After a five-way tie had developed at the top of the standings midway through the round, Summerhays (-12/201) used an incredible run on the back nine to create separation and ultimately pull away for the two stroke win.
The top of the individual leaderboard is full of Sun Devils, as Arizona State was on a different level than the rest of the competition. Ryggs Johnston (-10/203) finished in second place, meaning the top-two finishers were both in Maroon & Gold. Not far behind was Wenyi Ding (-9/204), who continues the incredible start to his career by tying for third. The fourth Sun Devil in the Top-5 is Michael Mjaaseth (-8/205) who took advantage of his opportunity to play as an individual this weekend. Five of the Top-7 in the final player standings were from Arizona State, an indication of the dominant effort. Rounding out the group was Josele Ballester, who finished tied for seventh (-7/206).
QUOTABLES
"Outstanding performance from our group today," Head Coach Matt Thurmond reflected. "From start to finish they did not take the foot off the gas and put together a complete three rounds."
"It is always nice to win the home tournament in front of your fans," Coach Thurmond added. "We appreciate everyone that came out to support us and hope that they enjoyed what they saw. This team feeds off the energy of their surroundings and that is why the presence of our fans is so crifical."
"I am proud of Preston for repeating as champion," Coach Thurmond concluded. "It is not an easy thing to do, hence the exclusivity of the company he is now in. Joining a list with Jon Rahm and Phil Mickelson should be a dream for any Sun Devil golfer. He continues a special career full of accomplishments."
NOTABLES
-- Preston Summerhays becomes the first repeat winner of the Thunderbird Collegiate since Jon Rahm won three straight from 2014-16
-- He is the third-straight Sun Devil to win the Thunderbird Collegiate (Summerhays, '23; Leow, '22)
-- A golfer from Arizona State has claimed four of the past five and seven of the last ten individual titles at the Thunderbird Collegiate
-- Arizona State wins back-to-back Thunderbird Collegiate team titles for the 11th time (first since 2018 & 2019; third time in Matt Thurmond era)
-- ASU now has three wins as a team this season, having previously won the Cabo Collegiate in March and the CPC Invitational in October.
UNDER MATT THURMOND (22)
2023-24: (3)
Thunderbird Collegiate (April 12-13, 2024)
Cabo Collegiate (Mar. 3-5, 2024)
CPC Invitational (Oct. 30-31, 2023)
2022-23 (2)
NCAA Las Vegas Regional (May 15-17, 2023)
Thunderbird Collegiate (April 14-15, 2023)
2021-2022 (3)
NCAA Stockton Regional (May 16-18, 2022)
Southwestern Invitational (Jan. 24-26, 2022)
Isleworth Invitational (Oct. 17-19, 2021)
2020-2021 (2)
Amer Ari Intercollegiate (Feb. 2-4, 2021)
The Goodwin (Mar. 25-27)
2019-2020 (3)
Maui Jim Intercollegiate (Sept. 13-15, 2019)
Trinity Forest Invitational (Sept. 22-24, 2019)
Cabo Collegiate (Mar. 1-3, 2020)
2018-2019 (4)
ASU Thunderbird Collegiate (April 12-13)
National Invitational/Tucson (Mar. 18-19)
Lamkin Grips San Diego Classic (Mar. 11-12)
John Burns Intercollegiate (Feb. 21-23)
2017-2018 (3)
ASU Thunderbird Invitational (April 14-15)
Bandon Dunes Intercollegiate (Mar. 11-13)
Maui Jim Intercollegiate (Sept. 22-24)
2016-2017 (2)
ASU Thunderbird Invitational (Mar. 18-19)
Alister MacKenzie Invitational (Oct. 10-11)
-- 22nd Thunderbird Collegiate Team Championship for Sun Devil Men's Golf (third since it moved to Papago in 2019)
-- 13th time ASU has swept the team and individual titles at the Thunderbird Collegiate (second straight year accomplishing the feat)
-- Summerhays becomes the fourth golfers to win multiple Thunderbird Collegiate (Jon Rahm 3 times; Phil Mickelson 2 times ; J.J. Spahn, San Diego State 2 times)
-- Beat out a field that included four of the Top-10 (No. 8 Washington, No. 9 Arizona, No. 10 Texas Tech), seven of the Top-30 (No. 14 Oklahoma, No. 19 New Mexico, #27 Oklahoma State), ten of the Top-50 (No. 32 UCLA, No. 33 Baylor, No. 43 SMU), and 16 of the Top-67 (No. 56 Washington State, No. 57 Utah, No. 59 Oregon State, No. 61 Houston, No. 66 Colorado, No. 67 San Francisco)
-- Preston Summerhays is the individual medalist in a field that included 8 of the Top-25, 12 of the Top-50, and 21 of the Top-100 golfers in the nation.
-- Largest Margin of Victory since at least 2002
2024: ASU 28 strokes
2015: ASU 25 strokes
2014: ASU 20 strokes
2017: ASU 20 strokes
2009: ASU 18 strokes
2011: USC 14 strokes
2019: ASU 12 strokes
2008: ASU 9 strokes
2012: California 8 strokes
2003: Arizona State 8 strokes
ROUND BREAKDOWN
Preston Summerhays (-12/201/1st)
TODAY'S ROUND: 68 (-3)
BIRDIES (6): Hole 1 (Par 5; 561 yards), Hole 3 (Par 4; 467 yards), Hole 12 (Par 4; 302 yards), Hole 14 (Par 4; 510 yards), Hole 15 (Par 5; 610 yards), Hole 16 (Par 4; 442 yards)
NOTABLES
-- Second-consecutive Thunderbird Collegiate medalist honors
-- Fourth career collegiate title
-- Only Sun Devil golfer to birdie 14
Ryggs Johnston (-10/203/2nd)
TODAY'S ROUND: 66 (-5)
EAGLE (1): Hole 12 (Par 4; 302 yards)
BIRDIES (5): Hole 2 (Par 4; 386 yards), Hole 5 (Par 4; 386 yards), Hole 9 (Par 5; 570 yards), Hole 10 (Par 4; 525 yards), Hole 18 (Par 4; 485 yards)
NOTABLES
-- Highest finish of his career
-- 10th career Top-10 finish
-- Third eagle of the tournament (two in round two)
Wenyi Ding (-9/204/T3rd)
TODAY'S ROUND: 68 (-3)
BIRDIES (5): Hole 1 (Par 5; 561 yards), Hole 2 (Par 4; 386 yards), Hole 7 (Par 4; 487 yards), Hole 9 (Par 5; 570 yards), Hole 15 (Par 5; 610 yards)
NOTABLES
-- Finished in the Top-10 in five of his first six collegiate tournaments
-- Already the fourth Top-5 finish of his career
Michael Mjaaseth (-8/205/T5th)
TODAY'S ROUND: 69 (-2)
BIRDIES (4): Hole 1 (Par 5; 561 yards), Hole 7 (Par 4; 487 yards), Hole 9 (Par 5; 570 yards), Hole 15 (Par 5; 610 yards)
NOTABLES
Josele Ballester (-7/206/T7th)
TODAY'S ROUND: 67 (-4)
BIRDIES (4): Hole 1 (Par 5; 561 yards), Hole 3 (Par 4; 467 yards), Hole 12 (Par 4; 302 yards), Hole 18 (Par 4; 485 yards)
NOTABLES
-- Bogey-free round; only Sun Devil to do that at the Thunderbird Collegiate
Connor Williams (+1/214/T34th)
TODAY'S ROUND: 70 (-1)
BIRDIES (3): Hole 2 (Par 4; 386 yards), Hole 12 (Par 4; 302 yards), Hole 15 (Par 5; 610 yards)
NOTABLES
Kiko Coelho (+3/216/T52nd)
TODAY'S ROUND: 70 (-1)
BIRDIES (5): Hole 2 (Par 4; 386 yards), Hole 5 (Par 4; 386 yards), Hole 9 (Par 5; 570 yards), Hole 15 (Par 5; 610 yards), Hole 16 (Par 4; 442 yards)
NOTABLES
Nicholas Prieto (+4/217/T58th)
TODAY'S ROUND: 74 (+3)
BIRDIES (4): Hole 1 (Par 5; 561 yards), Hole 5 (Par 4; 386 yards), Hole 6 (Par 4; 496 yards), Hole 12 (Par 4; 302 yards)
NOTABLES
-- Only Sun Devil to birdie the seventh hole today.
TEAM STANDINGS
| Place | Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | To Par |
| 1 | Arizona State | 274 | 271 | 269 | -38 |
| T2 | UCLA | 283 | 279 | 280 | -10 |
| T2 | Oklahoma State | 282 | 285 | 275 | -10 |
INDIVIDUAL STANDINGS
| Place | Player | 1 | 2 | 3 | To Par |
| 1 | Preston Summerhays | 67 | 66 | 68 | -12 |
| 2 | Ryggs Johnston | 68 | 69 | 66 | -10 |
| T3 | Wenyi Ding | 69 | 67 | 68 | -9 |
| T5 | Michael Mjaaseth | 67 | 69 | 69 | -8 |
| T7 | Josele Ballester | 70 | 69 | 67 | -7 |
UP NEXT
Since joining the Pac-12 in 1978-79, no program has won more men's golf league titles than Arizona State (12). The program will host the 2024 Pac-12 Men's Golf Championship at Desert Forest Golf Club April 26-28. The three-day, 6-count-5, 72-hole stroke play competition enters its 64th championship in 2024. In the 63 stagings, the host has won 18 times, including Stanford in 2023 and Washington in 2022 at Aldarra Golf Club in Sammamish, Wash. ASU has won a dozen Pac-12 team titles (2008, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996, 1995, 1993, 1990, 1989, 1981 and 1979).
SUN DEVILS AS PAC-12 MEN'S GOLF INDIVIDUAL CHAMPIONS
Jon Rahm, 272 (2016)
Paul Casey, 265 (2000)
Paul Casey, 265 (1999)
Paul Casey, 283 (1998)
Scott Johnson, 283 (1997)
Phil Mickelson, 278 (1990)
Dan Forsman/Tony Grimes, 283 (1981 co-medalists)
Jim Bertoncino, 280 (1980 three tied for title)
Scott Watkins/Dan Croonquist, 277 (1979 co-medalists)