CAREFREE, Ariz. - Sun Devil Men's Golf emerged victorious at the 2024 Pac-12 Men's Golf Championship, hosted at Desert Forest Golf Club.
No. 3 Arizona State not only maintained the lead they had built entering the day, but extended it, dominating the rest of the competition on the final day to seal the title. Sun Devil Men's Golf Head Coach Matt Thurmond secured his fourth overall Pac-12 Team Championship and the first at the helm in Tempe. ASU adds to their record total of 13 Pac-10/12 team championships since joining the league in 1978-79, which is five more than any other school (USC, 8).
The Sun Devils saved their best for last, combining for a 352 (-3), which was five strokes better than any other team. Arizona State showed poise and maturity down the stretch, coming through in pressure situations to ensure the title returned to Tempe. It was a total team effort that allowed the Maroon & Gold to pull off a dominant 16-stroke win, the largest margin of victory at a Pac-12 Men's Golf Championship since 2016.
"This is an exciting accomplishment for our program," Coach Thurmond remarked following the victory. "The players put in so much hard work and it is special to see it pay off with a championship. We are proud to be able to represent Arizona State University and follow in the great tradition of Sun Devil Men's Golf."
Leading the way individually was Ryggs Johnston, who continues to add to an already decorated resume. After a slow start to the tournament (+5 through 5), Johnston shot six-under over his final 67 holes. He carded his third consecutive round in the 60s, securing Pac-12 Silver Medalist honors thanks to a second place finish. Not far behind was Wenyi Ding, who was outstanding in his postseason debut. Ding entered the day in the individual lead and stayed there for a majority of the day, gaining valuable experience on a big stage. He joined Johnston in finishing in the Top-10, earning a tie for sixth.
Winning the 2024 Pac-12 Men's Golf Title took contributions from everyone in the lineup, as the Sun Devils put forth an extremely balanced effort. Four Sun Devils finished in the Top-15, including freshman Connor Williams. Williams shot a 69 (-2) in the final round of his first Pac-12 Championship to move up 14 spots and into a tie for 13th. Matching him in the move upwards was Preston Summerhays, who skyrocketed an incredible 28 spots before ending in a tie for 15th. Summerhays was dialed in and determined to lead his team a championship, shooting a 66 (-5), the second-lowest score of the day and lowest by any Sun Devil at the event.
Head Coach Matt Thurmond's team needed counting scores from each of the six individuals at different points throughout the four rounds, an indication of the depth of the Sun Devil lineup. Josele Ballester and Michael Mjaaseth each delivered counting scores on the final day and helped ASU cruise to the title.
ROUND BREAKDOWN
Ryggs Johnston (-1/283/2nd)
ROUND 4: 69 (-2)
BIRDIES (6): Hole 3 (Par 3; 171 yards), Hole 8 (Par 3; 231 yards), Hole 9 (Par 5; 533 yards), Hole 10 (Par 4; 392 yards), Hole 11 (Par 5; 594 yards), Hole 14 (Par 14; 329 yards)
Wenyi Ding (+4/288/T6th)
ROUND 4: 77 (+6)
EAGLE (1): Hole 9 (Par 5; 533 yards)
BIRDIES (1): Hole 14 (Par 14; 329 yards)
Connor Williams (+10/294/T13th)
ROUND 4: 69 (-2)
BIRDIES (6): Hole 2 (Par 4; 456 yards), Hole 10 (Par 4; 392 yards), Hole 12 (Par 3; 194 yards), Hole 14 (Par 4; 329 yards), Hole 17 (Par 3; 169 yards)
Preston Summerhays (+11/295/T15th)
ROUND 4: 66 (-5)
BIRDIES (6): Hole 4 (Par 4; 441 yards), Hole 6 (Par 4; 371 yards), Hole 9 (Par 5; 533 yards), Hole 10 (Par 4; 392 yards), Hole 11 (Par 5; 594 yards), Hole 14 (Par 14; 329 yards)
Josele Ballester (+15/299/T34th)
ROUND 4: 75 (+4)
BIRDIES (3): Hole 9 (Par 5; 533 yards), Hole 11 (Par 5; 594 yards), Hole 16 (Par 5; 435 yards)
Michael Mjaaseth (+20/304/T48th)
ROUND 4: 73 (+2)
BIRDIES (4): Hole 1 (Par 4; 404 yards), Hole 4 (Par 4; 441 yards), Hole 9 (Par 5; 533 yards), Hole 16 (Par 5; 435 yards)
QUOTABLES
"Huge thanks to these players," Coach Thurmond mentioned after the round. "To host an event like this where everyone thinks we are supposed to win, these guys were under a massive amount of pressure. I am so proud of how they handled it. We got behind early, but we just kept fighting and fighting. Thank you to my guys for everything. They really do deserve to win and I am happy for them. It is fitting that ASU wins the final Pac-12 Championship."
"We couldn't have done this without the support of all our fans, boosters, and donors that do so much for this program," Coach Thurmond added. "That is part of what makes this place so special. Seeing the community come out and cheer us on today provided the extra boost that we needed."
NOTABLES
-- Arizona State shot 352 (-3), which was the best round of the day and second-best of any team at the event (UW, 348 - 1st Round)
-- The 16-stroke victory by ASU over No. 21 Cal is the largest margin between first and second since 2016
-- The Sun Devils claim their 13th Pac-10/12 Championship (most of any team)
-- First title for ASU in the Pac-12 era; Previous 12 came in the Pac-10 (last in 2008)
-- Fourth career Pac-12 Team Title for Matt Thurmond (3 with Washington; 1 with ASU)
-- Four Sun Devils finished in the Top-15 (only team to accomplish the feat)
-- Preston Summerhays finished the Pac-12 Championship with a 66 (-5), the best round by any Sun Devil over the three days.
-- He moved up 28 spots on the leaderboard and into a tie for 15th
-- Ryggs Johnston was the only golfer to card three rounds in the 60s (67-69-69)
PAC-12 NETWORK COVERAGE
Pac-12 Networks will produce daily 30-minute highlight recaps that will air on Pac-12 Network the morning after each round. Catch the highlights of Sun Devil Men's Golf's championship run tomorrow at 10 AM MST.
TERRITORIAL CUP POINT SECURED
Arizona State earns the Territorial Cup® Series point thanks to finishing ahead of Arizona at the 2024 Pac-12 Men's Golf Championship. ASU has had the upper hand in the series as of late, finishing better than Arizona in 15 of the past 18 Pac-12 men's golf championships, missing Territorial Cup Series points only in 2011, 2012 and 2021.
PAC-10/12 SUCCESS AT ASU: Arizona State won 13 Pac-10 titles in its 45 chances, including a conference record six straight from 1995-2000. In addition to the six straight Pac-10 titles, ASU's other seven Pac-10 titles were in 1979 (its first year in the league), 1981, 1989, 1990, 1993, 2008, and 2024. ASU tied for the league title in 2005 with Washington but lost on a tiebreaker formula, and the league decided to go to a playoff format after that season.
MOST PAC-10/12 TEAM TITLES SINCE 1979 (ASU and Arizona joined the Pac-10 in the 1978-79 athletic season)
ARIZONA STATE (13): 2024, 2008, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996, 1995, 1993, 1990, 1989, 1981, 1979
USC (8): 2018, 2011, 2007, 2002, 2001, 1986, 1984, 1980
STANFORD (7): 2023, 2019, 2016, 2015, 2014, 1994, 1992
WASHINGTON (5): 2022, 2010, 2009, 2005, 1988
UCLA (5): 2006, 2003, 1985, 1983, 1982
ARIZONA (4): 2021, 2004, 1991, 1987
CALIFORNIA (2): 2013, 2012
OREGON (1): 2017
SUN DEVILS AS PAC-10/12 MEDALISTS: Jon Rahm won the 2016 title and Paul Casey won three straight Pac-10 titles from 1998-2000, which is a conference record for consecutive Pac-10/12 titles. Other Sun Devils who have won the Pac-10 championship are Scott Johnson (1997), Phil Mickelson (1990), co-medalists Dan Forsman and Tony Grimes (1981), Jim Bertoncino (co-medalist in 1980) and co-medalists Scott Watkins and Dan Croonquist (1979). Ryggs Johnston (2nd) and Wenyi Ding (T6th) were each in contention for the 2024 Individual Title, but Stanford's Karl Vilips (-2/282) secured a one-stroke victory.
HOW TO FOLLOW
Pac-12 Men's Golf Championship Central is a one-stop shop for all things related to the tournament. Final scores for the event can be found at the following link. For the latest updates and information on the Sun Devil Men's Golf program, follow our Twitter/Instagram accounts (@SunDevilMGolf), like our Facebook page (facebook.com/sundevilmgolf/), and visit our website (thesundevils.com). Find Coach Thurmond (@MattThurmond) and Coach Sutton (@TSuttonASU) on Twitter as well.
No. 3 Arizona State not only maintained the lead they had built entering the day, but extended it, dominating the rest of the competition on the final day to seal the title. Sun Devil Men's Golf Head Coach Matt Thurmond secured his fourth overall Pac-12 Team Championship and the first at the helm in Tempe. ASU adds to their record total of 13 Pac-10/12 team championships since joining the league in 1978-79, which is five more than any other school (USC, 8).
The Sun Devils saved their best for last, combining for a 352 (-3), which was five strokes better than any other team. Arizona State showed poise and maturity down the stretch, coming through in pressure situations to ensure the title returned to Tempe. It was a total team effort that allowed the Maroon & Gold to pull off a dominant 16-stroke win, the largest margin of victory at a Pac-12 Men's Golf Championship since 2016.
"This is an exciting accomplishment for our program," Coach Thurmond remarked following the victory. "The players put in so much hard work and it is special to see it pay off with a championship. We are proud to be able to represent Arizona State University and follow in the great tradition of Sun Devil Men's Golf."
Leading the way individually was Ryggs Johnston, who continues to add to an already decorated resume. After a slow start to the tournament (+5 through 5), Johnston shot six-under over his final 67 holes. He carded his third consecutive round in the 60s, securing Pac-12 Silver Medalist honors thanks to a second place finish. Not far behind was Wenyi Ding, who was outstanding in his postseason debut. Ding entered the day in the individual lead and stayed there for a majority of the day, gaining valuable experience on a big stage. He joined Johnston in finishing in the Top-10, earning a tie for sixth.
Winning the 2024 Pac-12 Men's Golf Title took contributions from everyone in the lineup, as the Sun Devils put forth an extremely balanced effort. Four Sun Devils finished in the Top-15, including freshman Connor Williams. Williams shot a 69 (-2) in the final round of his first Pac-12 Championship to move up 14 spots and into a tie for 13th. Matching him in the move upwards was Preston Summerhays, who skyrocketed an incredible 28 spots before ending in a tie for 15th. Summerhays was dialed in and determined to lead his team a championship, shooting a 66 (-5), the second-lowest score of the day and lowest by any Sun Devil at the event.
Head Coach Matt Thurmond's team needed counting scores from each of the six individuals at different points throughout the four rounds, an indication of the depth of the Sun Devil lineup. Josele Ballester and Michael Mjaaseth each delivered counting scores on the final day and helped ASU cruise to the title.
ROUND BREAKDOWN
Ryggs Johnston (-1/283/2nd)
ROUND 4: 69 (-2)
BIRDIES (6): Hole 3 (Par 3; 171 yards), Hole 8 (Par 3; 231 yards), Hole 9 (Par 5; 533 yards), Hole 10 (Par 4; 392 yards), Hole 11 (Par 5; 594 yards), Hole 14 (Par 14; 329 yards)
Wenyi Ding (+4/288/T6th)
ROUND 4: 77 (+6)
EAGLE (1): Hole 9 (Par 5; 533 yards)
BIRDIES (1): Hole 14 (Par 14; 329 yards)
Connor Williams (+10/294/T13th)
ROUND 4: 69 (-2)
BIRDIES (6): Hole 2 (Par 4; 456 yards), Hole 10 (Par 4; 392 yards), Hole 12 (Par 3; 194 yards), Hole 14 (Par 4; 329 yards), Hole 17 (Par 3; 169 yards)
Preston Summerhays (+11/295/T15th)
ROUND 4: 66 (-5)
BIRDIES (6): Hole 4 (Par 4; 441 yards), Hole 6 (Par 4; 371 yards), Hole 9 (Par 5; 533 yards), Hole 10 (Par 4; 392 yards), Hole 11 (Par 5; 594 yards), Hole 14 (Par 14; 329 yards)
Josele Ballester (+15/299/T34th)
ROUND 4: 75 (+4)
BIRDIES (3): Hole 9 (Par 5; 533 yards), Hole 11 (Par 5; 594 yards), Hole 16 (Par 5; 435 yards)
Michael Mjaaseth (+20/304/T48th)
ROUND 4: 73 (+2)
BIRDIES (4): Hole 1 (Par 4; 404 yards), Hole 4 (Par 4; 441 yards), Hole 9 (Par 5; 533 yards), Hole 16 (Par 5; 435 yards)
QUOTABLES
"Huge thanks to these players," Coach Thurmond mentioned after the round. "To host an event like this where everyone thinks we are supposed to win, these guys were under a massive amount of pressure. I am so proud of how they handled it. We got behind early, but we just kept fighting and fighting. Thank you to my guys for everything. They really do deserve to win and I am happy for them. It is fitting that ASU wins the final Pac-12 Championship."
"We couldn't have done this without the support of all our fans, boosters, and donors that do so much for this program," Coach Thurmond added. "That is part of what makes this place so special. Seeing the community come out and cheer us on today provided the extra boost that we needed."
NOTABLES
-- Arizona State shot 352 (-3), which was the best round of the day and second-best of any team at the event (UW, 348 - 1st Round)
-- The 16-stroke victory by ASU over No. 21 Cal is the largest margin between first and second since 2016
-- The Sun Devils claim their 13th Pac-10/12 Championship (most of any team)
-- First title for ASU in the Pac-12 era; Previous 12 came in the Pac-10 (last in 2008)
-- Fourth career Pac-12 Team Title for Matt Thurmond (3 with Washington; 1 with ASU)
-- Four Sun Devils finished in the Top-15 (only team to accomplish the feat)
-- Preston Summerhays finished the Pac-12 Championship with a 66 (-5), the best round by any Sun Devil over the three days.
-- He moved up 28 spots on the leaderboard and into a tie for 15th
-- Ryggs Johnston was the only golfer to card three rounds in the 60s (67-69-69)
TEAM STANDINGS
| Place | Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | To Par |
| 1 | Arizona State | 368 | 365 | 362 | 352 | +27 |
| 2 | California | 368 | 370 | 360 | 365 | +43 |
| 3 | Stanford | 359 | 378 | 369 | 358 | +44 |
INDIVIDUAL STANDINGS
| Place | Player | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | To Par |
| 2 | Ryggs Johnston | 78 | 67 | 69 | 69 | -1 |
| T6 | Wenyi Ding | 70 | 71 | 70 | 77 | +4 |
| T13 | Connor Williams | 75 | 77 | 73 | 69 | +10 |
| T15 | Preston Summerhays | 75 | 81 | 73 | 66 | +11 |
| T34 | Josele Ballester | 71 | 76 | 77 | 75 | +15 |
| T48 | Michael Mjaaseth | 77 | 74 | 80 | 73 | +20 |
PAC-12 NETWORK COVERAGE
Pac-12 Networks will produce daily 30-minute highlight recaps that will air on Pac-12 Network the morning after each round. Catch the highlights of Sun Devil Men's Golf's championship run tomorrow at 10 AM MST.
TERRITORIAL CUP POINT SECURED
Arizona State earns the Territorial Cup® Series point thanks to finishing ahead of Arizona at the 2024 Pac-12 Men's Golf Championship. ASU has had the upper hand in the series as of late, finishing better than Arizona in 15 of the past 18 Pac-12 men's golf championships, missing Territorial Cup Series points only in 2011, 2012 and 2021.
PAC-10/12 SUCCESS AT ASU: Arizona State won 13 Pac-10 titles in its 45 chances, including a conference record six straight from 1995-2000. In addition to the six straight Pac-10 titles, ASU's other seven Pac-10 titles were in 1979 (its first year in the league), 1981, 1989, 1990, 1993, 2008, and 2024. ASU tied for the league title in 2005 with Washington but lost on a tiebreaker formula, and the league decided to go to a playoff format after that season.
MOST PAC-10/12 TEAM TITLES SINCE 1979 (ASU and Arizona joined the Pac-10 in the 1978-79 athletic season)
ARIZONA STATE (13): 2024, 2008, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996, 1995, 1993, 1990, 1989, 1981, 1979
USC (8): 2018, 2011, 2007, 2002, 2001, 1986, 1984, 1980
STANFORD (7): 2023, 2019, 2016, 2015, 2014, 1994, 1992
WASHINGTON (5): 2022, 2010, 2009, 2005, 1988
UCLA (5): 2006, 2003, 1985, 1983, 1982
ARIZONA (4): 2021, 2004, 1991, 1987
CALIFORNIA (2): 2013, 2012
OREGON (1): 2017
SUN DEVILS AS PAC-10/12 MEDALISTS: Jon Rahm won the 2016 title and Paul Casey won three straight Pac-10 titles from 1998-2000, which is a conference record for consecutive Pac-10/12 titles. Other Sun Devils who have won the Pac-10 championship are Scott Johnson (1997), Phil Mickelson (1990), co-medalists Dan Forsman and Tony Grimes (1981), Jim Bertoncino (co-medalist in 1980) and co-medalists Scott Watkins and Dan Croonquist (1979). Ryggs Johnston (2nd) and Wenyi Ding (T6th) were each in contention for the 2024 Individual Title, but Stanford's Karl Vilips (-2/282) secured a one-stroke victory.
HOW TO FOLLOW
Pac-12 Men's Golf Championship Central is a one-stop shop for all things related to the tournament. Final scores for the event can be found at the following link. For the latest updates and information on the Sun Devil Men's Golf program, follow our Twitter/Instagram accounts (@SunDevilMGolf), like our Facebook page (facebook.com/sundevilmgolf/), and visit our website (thesundevils.com). Find Coach Thurmond (@MattThurmond) and Coach Sutton (@TSuttonASU) on Twitter as well.