SUNRIVER, Ore. ? The University of Kentucky men?s golf team recorded the best finish in school history today as the Wildcats rallied late to finish fifth at the 109th NCAA Division I Men?s Golf Championship at Crosswater Golf Club in Sunriver, Ore. Ten birdies and an eagle on the back nine helped the Wildcats gain five spots on the final day of play as the No. 26 Cats finished at five-under 287 to bring their four-day total to 1153 (283-287-300-283).
?This whole year has been so great for this program and for these young guys,? said head coach Brian Craig. ?For us to finish fifth and have the best finish ever for the University of Kentucky men?s golf program in what was supposed to be a rebuilding year is just a really phenomenal testament to the five guys that were here in Oregon. They competed their hearts out and they believed and they worked hard all year long. I?m so excited to see this happen for these guys. Other than us winning the Southeastern Conference championship last year, this is the best feeling I?ve had as the golf coach at the University of Kentucky.?
This is the sixth top five finish for the Wildcats this season and the 10th time they have had a top-10 finish.
Oklahoma State took home the national title after shooting five-under in the final round to finish at nine-under for the event. Florida was second at six-under, followed by Minnesota and Wake Forest who tied for third at five-under par. The Wildcats finished at one-over to round out the top five.
OSU?s Jonathan Moore took home medalist honors after finishing with a 12-under par 276 (68-70-69-69).
Senior Matt Kohn fittingly led the Wildcats on Saturday, carding a three-under par 69 behind the strength of four birdies on his final nine holes of play. Kohn finished tied for 10th with a total score of 286 (71-74-72-69), his best individual finish in three straight appearances at the national tournament.
Freshman Andy Winings finished tied for 15th in his first NCAA tournament. Winings posted a two-under 70 on Saturday to bring his four-day total to 287 (70-69-78-70). Fellow freshman Dan Woltman shot a fourth-round 73 to bring his total score to 295 (71-74-77-73). Winings and Woltman each had three birdies on the day.
Sophomore Brad Doster finished at one-under 71 after carding two straight birdies on 16 and 17. The All-Region selection tied for 57th overall with a total score of 296 (76-70-79-71). Junior and Lexington native Tyler Wilson rounded out the scoring for Kentucky with a one-over 73 to finish at 297 (71-80-73-73). Wilson carded a pair of birdies and eagled the par-five sixth hole.
The Wildcats finished seventh in last year’s NCAA Championship and were eighth in 2004. Kentucky competed in its fourth-consecutive NCAA Championship and its fourth in five years under fifth-year head coach Brian Craig. The Cats return nine players next season, but lose the services of its lone senior in Matt Kohn.
AGATE
1. Oklahoma State 1143; 2. Florida 1146; T3. Minnesota 1147; Wake Forest 1147; 5. Kentucky 1153; 6. Georgia 1156; T7. Clemson 1157; UCLA 1157; T9. Lamar 1158; Washington 1158; 11. Arizona State 1159; 12. Duke 1162; 13. Arizona 1168; 14. Texas A&M 1169; 15. Brigham Young 1172.
UK Scores
T10 ? Matt Kohn ? 286 (71-74-72-69)
T15 ? Andy Winings ? 287 (70-69-78-70)
T50 ? Dan Woltman ? 295 (71-74-77-73)
T57 ? Brad Doster ? 296 (76-70-79-71)
T62 ? Tyler Wilson ? 297 (71-80-73-73)
