SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – Auburn sophomore J.M. Butler etched his name into program history Sunday evening as he claimed the individual championship at the Maui Jim Intercollegiate with a stellar final round performance.
Turning in a weekend scorecard of 193 (66 – 64 – 63)(-17), Butler stands alone atop Auburn men's golf history with the lowest 54-hole score by an individual ever.
"Like I've said before, J.M. is a workhorse and I am not surprised at all that he won," said Auburn head coach Nick Clinard. "He's a very determined, driven young man. He's a big-time player and this win is the first of many for him."
Showing grit and laser-focus throughout the tournament, the Louisville native also blew his previous career lows for one, two and three rounds out of the water. The individual title was also his first since stepping foot on The Plains.
The Tigers wowed all weekend long, claiming third place in the team category with a final score of 809 (-31), tying the fourth-lowest three-round team score in program history. Sunday's single round score of 264 (-16) is another major feat, jumping up to tie the fifth-best 18-hole team total in Auburn history.
"I'm really proud of the guys," said Clinard. "They all had the right mindset – trying to win today. They played some great golf and it showed."
Calm, cool and collected was the name of the game for sophomore Ryan Eshleman in the first action of his career. The Birmingham native wrapped up the weekend with a 206 (69 – 68 – 69)(-4) as he was one of only four players with multiple eagles in the tournament. Eshleman finished tied for 31st in his debut.
Junior Alex Vogelsong threw a huge punch in round three, making six birdies en route to turning in a 64 (-6) to set a new career low for a single round. Vogelsong's weekend total was 207 (72 – 71 – 64)(-3) as he finished tied for 37th place.
Tiger newcomer Evan Vo showed no signs of nerves in his first action at the collegiate level, matching teammate Vogelsong with a 207 (68 – 71 – 68)(-3) to round out the weekend.
Birmingham native, Austin Coggin also managed get in on the record-breaking action as his tournament performance set new personal bests for 18, 36 and 54 holes. The junior's final line was 208 (68 – 71 – 69)(-2).
Junior C.J. Easley had a steady weekend of his own, shooting a 211 (69 – 71 – 71)(+1) as the individual player for the Tigers.
Georgia Tech claimed the Maui Jim team championship at 44 under (796). In second place at 43 under, Clemson was the only other team to shoot better than Auburn over the course of the event.
UP NEXT
The Tigers have the rest of the month to train and prepare for the upcoming Barbara Nicklaus Cup scheduled for Oct. 4-5. Both Auburn men's and women's golf will take off to Dublin, Ohio to compete in the invitational.
TEAM STANDINGS
1. Georgia Tech: 796 (-44)
2. Clemson: 797 (-43)
3. Auburn: 809 (-31)
4. San Diego State: 810 (-30)
5. Louisville: 814 (-26)
6. Washington: 815 (-25)
7. Arizona: 819 (-21)
8. Oregon: 820 (-20)
9. Utah: 830 (-10)
T10. Alabama: 834 (-6)
T10. New Mexico: 834 (-6)
12. Cal-Berkeley: 835 (-5)
13. Georgia State: 837 (-3)
14. Augusta: 865 (+25)
AUBURN INDIVIDUALS
1 – J.M. Butler: 193 (-17)
T31 – Ryan Eshleman: 206 (-4)
T37 – Alex Vogelsong: 207 (-3)
T37 – Evan Vo: 207 (-3)
T43 – Austin Coggin: 208 (-2)
T58 – C.J. Easley (Ind.): 211 (+1)
#WarEagle
Butler wins individual title as Tigers conclude Maui Jim Intercollegiate
