Kentucky Goes 6-Under as a Team to Close Windon Memorial Classic
LAKE FOREST, Ill. – Kentucky men’s golf posted a season-best team total of 6-under par in the final round of the Windon Memorial Classic on Tuesday at Onwentsia Club (par 70, 6716 yards).
The final round push allowed the Wildcats to finish the event in a tie for ninth among 16 teams, improving their position by three spots from day one. The 6-under par team score was the second-best total of any team in the field in round three, with all four counting scores for UK coming in at par-or-better for the first time this season.
Cameron Phillips, Jacob Lang and Cole Stockard all registered under-par rounds, while Jacob Settles provided the fourth counting score with an even-par card.
“I’m really proud of the way we stepped up and finished today,” head coach Gator Todd said. “We haven’t been playing out best golf this fall and we challenged guys to find a way and they did. I thought today was the best round we’ve played so far this fall.”
Lang was the top finisher for the Wildcats overall, as the junior ended the week tied for sixth at 3-under par total. The native of Alvaton, Kentucky was the tournament leader in par-3 scoring, going 3-under par on for the tournament. He totaled 12 birdies over 54 holes to lead all Wildcats and ranked tied for the fourth most birdies in the field. It marks the third top 10 finish for Lang on his college career and his best result this season.
“This was a big week for Lang,” Todd said. “He’s been off his standards the first two events, but he looked in complete control this week. He was one hole and a few putts dropping from winning this tournament.”
Phillips matched the lowest total of his college career with a 67 on Tuesday, bringing the sophomore into a tie for 30th at 2-over par total. The sophomore made four birdies and just one bogey on his final round.
“I was really proud of Cam today,” Todd said. “He hasn’t had his best stuff ball striking wise, but he found a way to hang in there and fight for his team. Coach Chip McDaniel did an outstanding job with him today.”
Stockard delivered yet another under-par effort, carding a 69 (-1) for his sixth round below par this season. The sophomore made a team-high five birdies in round three, ultimately finishing in the tournament tied for 35th at 3-over par.
Settles fought back to post an even par round of 70 in round three with birdies on three of his final four holes. The junior was 10-over par on the week and placed T64. Sophomore Gabriel Hull tied for 73rd at 12-over par following a final round 72 (+2).
The Wildcats continued to have success on the difficult par 3s, finishing the week 4-over as a team on those holes, tied for the best mark in the field.
Kansas earned the team victory with a 54-hole score of 4-under par, while Cal Poly’s Frederick Egnatios and UC Davis’ Zhenxian Zhang shared individual medalist honors at 8-under par.
Next up for Kentucky is the team’s home event, the Cullan Brown Collegiate, Oct. 5-6 at Lexington Country Club.
Leaderboard:
T6: Jacob Lang (72-67-68)
T30: Cameron Phillips (71-74-67)
T35: Cole Stockard (74-70-69)
T64: Jacob Settles (72-78-70)
T73: Gabriel Hull (76-74-72)
Bold = Counting Score
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