CAVE CREEK, Ariz. – No. 6 Auburn men's golf cruised to victory Sunday at the Mirabel Maui Jim Intercollegiate hosted by The Mirabel Club, shooting a school-record 56 strokes under par to complete the wire-to-wire triumph. Auburn edged out its nearest competitor, Fresno State, by a whopping 11 strokes.
The Tigers' previous record for tournament score, 45 strokes under par, was set at the same event a year prior.
"It's always a great feeling when you can start your season out with a huge win," Tigers head coach Nick Clinard said. "We knew we had the depth and the talent to win championships with this roster, and this is our proof. We're going to celebrate this win momentarily and then get right back and work on improving ourselves for the next one."
With a 65 (-6) in his final round, freshman Jackson Koivun not only led the Tigers' lineup but matched the program's record for 54-hole individual score at 17-under. The previous record was set by teammate J.M. Butler at the 2021 Maui Jim Intercollegiate.
"Really good to come out of the gate hot and get the team win," Koivun said. "We all played well this week. It was a total team victory. I'm looking forward to the next event and picking up where we left off."
In his collegiate debut, Koivun carded just two bogeys while pouring on 17 birdies and an eagle. He finished one shot back of the individual title, which was won by Justin Hastings of San Diego State at 18-under 195.
Butler and junior Brendan Valdes also placed inside the event's top 10. Butler finished with a 67 in his third round to shoot 13-under 200. Valdes carded a 68 on Sunday to score one stroke higher at 12-under 201, tying his career low. Butler placed seventh and Valdes placed tied for eighth.
Seniors Carson Bacha and Ryan Eshleman each finished tied for 12th with 10-under 203s. The pair shot 69 and 70, respectively, in the final round.
Next, the Tigers head home to celebrate before picking back at the SEC Fall Preview Sept. 25-27 at the Country Club of Birmingham in Birmingham, Alabama.
Auburn Players
T2. Jackson Koivun 65-66-65 (-17)
7. J.M. Butler 67-66-67 (-13)
T8. Brendan Valdes 65-68-68 (-12)
T13. Carson Bacha 67-67-69 (-10)
T13. Ryan Eshleman 63-70-70 (-10)
