One shot off the same score that won Patrick Reed the 2018 Masters, the No. 20 North Carolina men’s golf team won the 72nd Annual Western Intercollegiate in Santa Cruz, Calif., at 14-under.
The Tar Heels shot even par as a team on the first day — 350 shots total — but rebounded with a 10-under second round, and a 4-under third round to take home first place by a resounding 10 strokes. Only two out of the 15 teams finished the weekend under par.
As a team, the win was impressive for the Tar Heels as they defeated No. 10 California, No. 15 Texas and No. 18 Stanford — in addition to five other unranked college teams.
No. 92 Ben Griffin had the best outing for the Tar Heels finishing in fifth place at seven under par three shots off the lead. Griffin was tied for first place after round with an opening 66 (-4) and after a 67 in round two was just one shot off the lead before shooting an even par round to finish the tournament.
In addition to Griffin, Jose Montaño had an impressive outing. He finished tied for sixth place. The senior started the tournament poorly posting a 72 (+2), but played the following two rounds at 8-under par including a 65 (-5) — one shot off the tournament best, in the tournament's final round.
Two other players finished even par or better at the tournament for North Carolina. Joshua Martin shot a 70, 67 and 72 en route to an 209 (-1) tournament. Teammate Austin Hitt finished with a total score of 210 (E) after 69, 71 and 70 stroke performances.
The Tar Heels will be back in action Friday, April 20, at the ACC Championships in New London, N.C.
