CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Virginia freshman Ben James claimed co-medalist honors and helped the No. 21 Virginia men’s golf team to a runner-up finish at the Cavaliers’ second-annual Lewis Chitengwa Memorial tournament at Birdwood Golf Course. It marked the fourth time this season James has recorded a first-place finish in 10 outings. He now has eight top-four finishes in his first season at UVA.
James shot 11-under 202 and shared medalist honors with Florida State’s Cole Anderson. James posted a final-round score of 6-under 65 and had a chance to win the tournament outright but his four-foot putt on the 18th green lipped out of the cup. It was his only bogey on the day.
Anderson, who is ranked No. 12 nationally, recorded a final-round score of 4-under 67 to lead the seventh-ranked Seminoles to the victory at 41-under 811. UVA shot 27-under 825 including a final-round score of 9-under 275. No. 40 Arkansas was third at 24-under 828.
The tournament marked the fifth time this season the Cavaliers have produced a top-three tournament finish.
“If you had told me at the start of the week 28 under, I thought that would have won,” said UVA head coach Bowen Sargent. “Somehow it didn’t get the job done. 41-under by Florida State was incredible. It shows why they are ranked among the best teams in the country. We’re looking forward to maybe seeing them again at the ACCs.
“The headliner was Ben’s fourth win of the season. He played an unbelievable three rounds to finish at 11-under par. The rest of the team was also solid. Ben had an awesome week and we are very proud of his accomplishments.”
James entered the event ranked No. 16 in the latest Golfstat individual poll. That figures second in the nation among all freshman, trailing only Texas first-year player Christiaan Maas, who is ranked No. 6.
“It feels great,” James said after his round. “This is the one I really wanted. I had a lot of friends and family come out and it really means a lot to get a win here at Birdwood. Coach Sargent and coach (Dustin) Groves helped me out a ton during the week and I can’t thank them enough. It was very special to win on your home golf course. It’s a dream.”
As the final round of @TheMasters gets under way, it’s not hard to envision @UVAMensGolf freshman Ben James competing at Augusta one day. “He’s as good as any player I’ve coached,” @BowenSargent says of James, who’s won three tournaments in 2022-23. https://t.co/wIL4gpjZP0
— Jeff…
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