Oklahoma State University Athletics
Cowboy Golf Finishes Second At NCAA Championship
June 17, 2003 | Cowboy Golf
OSU entered the day one shot off the pace of the top-ranked Tigers, who carded a final-round 303 total to claim the first golf national championship in school history.
Individually, junior Hunter Mahan posted his ninth top-10 finish in 12 starts this season, coming in eighth with a 72-hole total of 293, five-over-par. The McKinney, Texas native fired a 76 on Friday to finish six shots behind individual medalist Alejandro Canizares of Arizona State, who carded a 69 during his final round to post a two-stroke victory.
Redshirt freshman Zack Robinson continued his solid play on OSU’s home course, tying for 19th place at 298, 10-over-par. The Fort Worth, Texas native helped keep the Cowboys in the team race on Thursday with his two-under 70 en route to posting his second consecutive top 20.
Sophomore Alex Norén came in three shots behind Robinson after carding a 75 during his final round. After an opening-round 80, the Stockholm, Sweden native rebounded with three consecutive rounds in the 70s to finish tied for 31st at 301.
True freshman Chris Clarke finished in 70th place while competing in his first career NCAA Championship. The Rotherham, England native closed out play with an 84 after turning in a one-over 73 on Thursday on his way to a 314 score.
Junior Pär Nilsson closed with a flurry during his final round, posting three consecutive birdies to keep OSU close in the team race and finish with a five-over 77. The Ljungsbro, Sweden native came in one off Clarke’s pace with a 315 to tie for 71st.
The second-place finish for OSU marked the 46th time in the program’s 57-year history that it has finished in the top five at the NCAA Championship.
