April 19, 2009
BRYAN - No. 2-ranked Oklahoma State overcame a big Texas A&M lead on the closing holes on Sunday to capture the Aggie Invitational by three strokes at Traditions Golf Club.
The Cowboys led the Aggies by five shots going into the final round, but A&M charged to a 10-stroke lead with just five holes to play. Oklahoma State played the last five holes in six-under-par while the Aggies played the same stretch in five-over.
The pivotal hole was the par-5 15th, where the Cowboys beat the Aggies by five shots.
Oklahoma State sophomore Rickie Fowler birdied three of the final four holes to claim individual honors with a six-under total of 65-73=138. Freshman teammate Morgan Hoffman was one stroke back at 69-70=139. A&M sophomore John Hurley tied for fourth at 71-71=142, the highest finish of his college career.
"Oklahoma State played well but we beat ourselves," A&M Head Coach J.T. Higgins said. "We didn't close very well on the last few holes and Oklahoma State showed why they are a championship team. They always finish strong and you know they will. We are very disappointed because we had it won and let it slip through our fingers."
The Cowboys finished at six-under for the tournament (714), followed by A&M (717), Ohio State (741), No. 16 TCU (744), San Diego State (744), Kent State (745), Lamar (746), No. 12 Texas Tech (749), New Mexico (749), Baylor (761), Wichita State (763) and Kansas (780).
The tournament was shortened to 36 holes after heavy thunderstorms forced the opening round to be cancelled. The course played much more difficult than in Saturday's first round, when lift and replace rules were in effect and 39 players shot par or better. Only seven players shot par or better on Sunday and the average score was more than five strokes higher at 78.05.
A&M senior Bronson Burgoon, who shared the first-round lead with Fowler, tied for 16th at 65-81=146.
Senior Matt Van Zandt tied for eighth (70-73=143), freshman Andrea Pavan tied for 16th (69-77=146) and sophomore Nacho Elvira tied for 21st (71-77=148).
Competing as individuals for the Aggies, senior Clay Hodge tied for 13th (71-74=145), freshman Austin Schauer (70-79=149) tied for 26th, and sophomore Conrad Shindler tied for 36th (73-78=151).
A&M and Oklahoma State will be among the favorites at the Big 12 Championship April 27-29 in Hutchinson, Kan. The Aggies beat the Cowboys by nine strokes at the U.S. Collegiate Championship in Georgia earlier this month.
"In my opinion, Oklahoma State is the best team in the country," Higgins said. "I think we have showed that we can play with them. If they are good enough to win the national championship, then so are we. We are disappointed to lose to them today but we'll get ready to battle them again at the conference championship."