NCAA Men's Golf Championships 2015: Winner, Leaderboard Standings and More - Bleacher Report
Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports
The LSU Tigers claimed their first national championship since 1955 with a 4-1 win over the USC Trojans on Wednesday. The win snapped the longest drought between titles in history. It was LSU's fifth in the history of the golf program and 43rd national title for the athletic program. The NCAA's official Twitter account tweeted its congratulation:
Here's a look at the scores of each head-to-head match:
- Brandon Pierce (LSU) defeated Rico Hoey (USC), 2 and 1
- Ben Taylor (LSU) defeated Bobby Gojuangco (USC) 1-Up
- Zach Wright (LSU) defeated Sean Crocker (USC), 3 and 2
- Eric Ricard (LSU) defeated Jonah Texeira (USC), 1-Up
- Eric Sugimoto (USC) defeated Stewart Jolly (LSU), 1-Up
This was the third year in a row that a SEC team took home the crown. Ben Taylor clinched the win with a six-foot putt that defeated the Trojans' Bobby Gojuangco. Here's a look at the putt:
That wasn't the only big shot the senior from England contributed to his team's cause. On the 17th hole, Taylor set up the win with a great approach shot that put him in an excellent position to sink a huge eagle putt. Michael Bonnette of LSU caught that putt on video as well:
While it was Taylor who sank the putts most will remember, it's only rightâ"no pun intendedâ"to acknowledge Zach Wright's contributions.
He was a perfect 3-0 in match play this season and the junior is 5-0 in the format in his collegiate career. Only Patrick Reed has compiled a better record in match play. The current pro was 6-0 in his days at Augusta State.
The team and head coach Chuck Winstead spoke about their accomplishment via Golf Channel after their victory:
Obviously, the loss was a disappointing one for the Trojans. While this year's team advanced further than any previous one in the program's history, the Trojans still haven't won a national championship in golf in 56 appearances.
On the bright side, the team has just one senior. Head coach Chris Zambri will only lose Eric Sugimoto to graduation. Thus he should have a strong bunch returning for the 2015-16 season. Sugimoto can take some solace in the fact that he was the only member of his team to win a match in the clash with the eventual national champions.
Perhaps a professional career is on the horizon for he and the other seniors involved, like LSU's Taylor and Jolly. Whether they continue to play competitively or not, all can say they were a part of a memorable tournament and piece of college golf history.
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