OPELIKA, Ala. – Tuesday was all about titles as No. 10 Auburn cruised to a team championship after the final round of the Tiger Invitational. The Tigers shot an 8-under 280 to finish the annual tournament at 11-under (293-280-280--853) and win by 10 strokes.
Sophomore Brandon Mancheno took home his first career individual medalist honors as he won in a playoff against Kennesaw State's Wyatt Larkin. Mancheno finished at 4-under for the week at the Grand National Lake Course.
"The guys felt pretty comfortable out here and played the golf we were capable of playing," head coach Nick Clinard said. "I'm really happy for Brandon. I'm hoping this opens the door a little bit for him."
Mancheno saved his best for last as he birdied the 17th hole to get into a tie with Larkin. After getting a par on the final hole, the Jacksonville, Fla. native went into a playoff.
Despite hitting his opening tee shot into the bunker, Mancheno placed his second shot on the front edge of the green on the 476-yard, par-4 18th. Larkin's second shot went to the left of the green and his third shot sailed over the pin, setting up what would be a difficult recovery.
Larkin two-putted to a bogey, leaving Mancheno two putts to seal the victory. The lefty hit his first putt a little long, but put himself into position with a 12-foot par putt.
Mancheno measured up the putt and guided it into the hole for the par and the first collegiate victory of his career.
"I was trying to repeat as champions as a team," Mancheno said. "That was our main goal at the start of the week. This win helped for me. It's my first one in college and it's going to be big for me moving forward."
Auburn had all five of its golfers finish in the top 25, including three in the top 10.
Trace Crowe produced a spotless round of 5-under behind 13 pars and five birdies with four coming on the back nine. The senior finished seventh at 2-under (77-70-67--214).
Jovan Rebula tied for 10th overall at even par (74-69-73--216) capped by a 1-over 73 in his final tour of the course.
Graysen Huff regained his stroke as he carded a 2-under 70 that featured an eagle on the 522-yard, par-5 12th hole. Huff finished in a tie for 17th at 2-over (72-76-70--218) for the week.
A 2-over 74 was the final card turned in by Jacob Solomon, who capped his last Tiger Invitational at 4-over (73-73-74--220).
The Tigers finished 10 strokes ahead of No. 6 SMU to claim the title, their second of the season.
The Auburn "B Team" finished in a tie with UNCW for sixth at 15-over (296-295-288--879).
Andrew Kozan led the way as he ended the week at 1-over (75-69-73--217), good for a tie for 12th overall.
Marcus Svensson shot a career-best 3-under 69 to end his first tournament of 2019 in a tie for 23rd at 3-over (74-76-69--219). The Halmsted, Sweden native drilled six birdies spread evenly across the front and back nine.
Wells Padgett tied for 35th overall at 6-over (75-72-75--222), while Ryan Knop tied for 43rd at 8-over (72-78-74--224) for the week.
In his first career tournament, Jake Milanowski capped the three-day event with his best round of even par to tie for 75th overall at +19 (82-81-72--235).
No. 10 Auburn paced the field at 11-under (853), followed by No. 6 SMU (863), South Alabama (872), No. 21 Arkansas State (873), Kennesaw State (878), UNCW (879), Auburn "B Team" (879), ULM (880), Chattanooga (890), Western Kentucky (890), Georgia State (890), Mercer (891), Missouri (893), Austin Peay (902), Florida Atlantic (904) and Lipscomb (915).
The Tigers have a short turnaround as the hit the links this weekend for the Southern Highlands Collegiate in Las Vegas, Nev., March 3-5, hosted by UNLV.
Team Scores
1. Auburn: -11 (293-280-280--853)
2. SMU: -1 (295-287-281--863)
3. South Alabama: +8 (297-287-288--872)
4. Arkansas State: +9 (283-300-290--873)
5. Kennesaw State: +14 (303-294-281--878)
T-6. UNCW: +15 (301-289-289--879)
T-6. Auburn "B Team": +15 (296-295-288--879)
8. ULM: +16 (304-289-287--880)
T-9. Chattanooga: +26 (305-299-286--890)
T-9. Western Kentucky: +26 (306-292-292--890)
T-9. Georgia State: +26 (295-296-299--890)
12. Mercer: +27 (295-304-292--891)
13. Missouri: +29 (301-299-293--893)
14. Austin Peay: +38 (307-300-295--902)
15. Florida Atlantic: +40 (304-310-290--904)
16. Lipscomb: +51 (315-303-297--915)
Auburn Individuals
1. Brandon Mancheno: -4 (74-68-70--212)
7. Trace Crowe: -2 (77-70-67--214)
T-10. Jovan Rebula: E (74-69-73--216)
T-17. Graysen Huff: +2 (72-76-70--218)
T-25. Jacob Solomon: +4 (73-73-74--220)
Auburn Individuals "B Team"
T-12. Andrew Kozan: +1 (75-69-73--217)
T-23. Marcus Svensson: +3 (74-76-69--219)
T-35. Wells Padgett: +6 (75-72-75--222)
T-43. Ryan Knop: +8 (72-78-74--224)
T-75. Jake Milanowski: +19 (82-81-72--235)