Virginia took benefit of similar late birdies to edge No. 1 Auburn, beat three different group in my preseason prime 6, and seize the fall-opening Inverness Intercollegiate on Tuesday in Toledo, Ohio.
Listed below are a number of takeaways:
VIRGINIA WAS IN MY PRESEASON TOP 5 FOR A REASON: Make no mistake, the Cavs are good. This efficiency backs that up. With junior Ben James taking part in out of the 5 gap, the two-time first-team All-American led the best way with a T-3 end. Junior working mate Bryan Lee added a T-7, and the way about everybody’s favourite former membership golfer? Paul Chang closed with a 3-under 66 within the closing spherical as Virginia shot 6 beneath – the perfect spherical of the day – to hurry previous Auburn, Oklahoma and Texas Tech. If the Cavs don’t make a 3rd match play subsequent Might at La Costa, I’ll eat – nicely, let’s simply say I’ll be shocked.
KOIVUN, TIGERS SPUTTER LATE: The excellent news for Koivun, the reigning nationwide participant of the yr as a freshman, is that he held on to win the person title, the third win of his younger profession and the 14th time in 15 profession begins that he’s cracked the highest 6. Nevertheless, Koivun bogeyed every of his closing three holes because the Tigers performed the final 4 holes in 5 over and ended up 4 photographs again of Virginia. Surprisingly, this could possibly be simply what the defending NCAA champs wanted; a slice of humble pie early that would result in one other cherry on prime.
MIGHT BE TIME FOR MY EARLY PICK: I’ve a rule through which I don’t choose the preseason No. 1 to win all of it. So, sorry, Auburn. And my No. 2 group, Florida State, seems to be awfully reliant on Luke Clanton in the intervening time. As an alternative, I’m going to formally lock in my choose to win the 2025 NCAA males’s group title: Oklahoma. The Sooners tied Vanderbilt for third, a shot again of Auburn. Drew Goodman did what he’s anticipated to do, main the group with a T-7 displaying. Jase Summy, Ryder Cowan and Matthew Troutman all added top-20s. I really like this group’s depth. I really like what head coach Ryan Hybl does. He’s going to have this group peaking on the proper time, and as soon as they get into match play, these Sooners shall be a troublesome out.
SPEAKING OF EARLY PREDICTIONS: I went on the report final week to say that Vanderbilt senior Gordon Sargent would have his greatest season of faculty golf as a senior. A T-33 actually throws a wrench in that, however I’m holding off on demoting the longer term PGA Tour member to Gordon Corporal. The 8-over begin via two rounds wasn’t good. Once more, Sargent struggled with the large numbers – he carded a double bogey every of the primary two days. However he regarded like his typical self on Tuesday, closing in 67 with only one bogey. The wedge recreation wants to enhance. So, too, does the quick recreation. That’s what’s holding Sargent again. However you possibly can’t train that velocity, and this child is a gamer; he’ll determine it out quickly. New prediction: A minimal of two wins for Sarge this season!
