Sunday, March 18
Stuart, Fla.
All Day
Texas A&M
at
Valspar Collegiate Invitational
Photo by: Brad Kemp
Men's Golf Finishes Third at Valspar Collegiate
Mar 20, 2018 | Men's Golf
PALM CITY, Fla. – The second-ranked Texas A&M's men's golf team wrapped up play at the Valspar Collegiate on Tuesday with a third-place finish on Floridian National Golf Course.
"We got off to such a great start today and really started to make a big move," said Texas A&M head coach J.T. Higgins. "The wind picked up and unfortunately we had some big numbers coming in and didn't finish it off the way we wanted to. I'm really proud of the fight these guys showed out there."
The Aggies (281-283-286=850, -2) found themselves 13-strokes back of leader Oklahoma State (277-274-289=840, -12) and tied for third with Baylor before the final round of competition. Tuesday's play saw high scores across the field with the Aggies managing a two-over day. They distanced themselves from Baylor (284-279-291=854, +2) but could not catch second-place Florida State (286-278-281=845, -7) or Oklahoma State, which won the event by five strokes. The Aggies held a two-stroke lead over fourth-place Georgia Tech (287-282-283=852, E), one of the 10 top-25 teams in the 16-team field.
Sophomore Dan Erickson (67-69-70=206, -7) registered his third consecutive top-three finish as he was able to maintain the third-place standing he held prior to the event's final 18 holes. The one-under scorecard gave Erickson seven straight rounds under par. The Whittier, Calif, native finished six back of event winner Viktor Hovland (67-65-68=200, -13) of Oklahoma State.
With difficult conditions, Brandon Smith's (73-67-72=212, -1) one-over round jumped him into a tie for a ninth place, his fourth top-10 of the season. All-American Chandler Phillips (70-72-71=213, E) was even on the day and finished in a tie for 13th. Senior Andrew Paysse (77-76-73=226, +13) climbed 10 spots into a share of 66th and sophomore Josh Gliege (71+75+85=231, +18) finished tied for 77th.
Competing as individuals, freshmen Walker Lee (71-70-79=220, +7) and Reese Ramsey (76-69-77=222, +9) brought home shares of 43rd and 55th, respectively.
"The way Dan has been playing all spring is amazing," added Higgins. "Also, Brandon had a really nice tournament and Chandler really played well too. Third place in a great field on a great golf course is good but we also know we left a lot out there and we have a lot to work on if we want to reach our goals. We have a standard that we like to play to and we didn't quite live up to it this week, but we are going to get ready for the Aggie Invitational and try to defend our home course. Overall, a pretty positive experience."
Next up, the Aggies host to the Aggie Invitation from the Traditions Club in Bryan. The event begins on Saturday, April 7, and wraps up the following day. It will be the Aggies' final tune up before postseason play.
"We got off to such a great start today and really started to make a big move," said Texas A&M head coach J.T. Higgins. "The wind picked up and unfortunately we had some big numbers coming in and didn't finish it off the way we wanted to. I'm really proud of the fight these guys showed out there."
The Aggies (281-283-286=850, -2) found themselves 13-strokes back of leader Oklahoma State (277-274-289=840, -12) and tied for third with Baylor before the final round of competition. Tuesday's play saw high scores across the field with the Aggies managing a two-over day. They distanced themselves from Baylor (284-279-291=854, +2) but could not catch second-place Florida State (286-278-281=845, -7) or Oklahoma State, which won the event by five strokes. The Aggies held a two-stroke lead over fourth-place Georgia Tech (287-282-283=852, E), one of the 10 top-25 teams in the 16-team field.
Sophomore Dan Erickson (67-69-70=206, -7) registered his third consecutive top-three finish as he was able to maintain the third-place standing he held prior to the event's final 18 holes. The one-under scorecard gave Erickson seven straight rounds under par. The Whittier, Calif, native finished six back of event winner Viktor Hovland (67-65-68=200, -13) of Oklahoma State.
With difficult conditions, Brandon Smith's (73-67-72=212, -1) one-over round jumped him into a tie for a ninth place, his fourth top-10 of the season. All-American Chandler Phillips (70-72-71=213, E) was even on the day and finished in a tie for 13th. Senior Andrew Paysse (77-76-73=226, +13) climbed 10 spots into a share of 66th and sophomore Josh Gliege (71+75+85=231, +18) finished tied for 77th.
Competing as individuals, freshmen Walker Lee (71-70-79=220, +7) and Reese Ramsey (76-69-77=222, +9) brought home shares of 43rd and 55th, respectively.
"The way Dan has been playing all spring is amazing," added Higgins. "Also, Brandon had a really nice tournament and Chandler really played well too. Third place in a great field on a great golf course is good but we also know we left a lot out there and we have a lot to work on if we want to reach our goals. We have a standard that we like to play to and we didn't quite live up to it this week, but we are going to get ready for the Aggie Invitational and try to defend our home course. Overall, a pretty positive experience."
Next up, the Aggies host to the Aggie Invitation from the Traditions Club in Bryan. The event begins on Saturday, April 7, and wraps up the following day. It will be the Aggies' final tune up before postseason play.
Players Mentioned
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