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MORGAN HILL, Calif. – Luke Clanton of Florida State Men’s Golf made program history on Wednesday, becoming the first Seminole freshman to win an NCAA Regional. His consistent 6-under performance (70-70-70) guided FSU to its third consecutive NCAA Championship appearance as it finished in third place at the challenging Morgan Hill Regional in California.
𝐕𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐄𝐘 𝐕𝐈𝐁𝐄𝐒 🌵
The Noles are headed back to Arizona for the NCAA Championship Finals #OneTribe | #GoNoles pic.twitter.com/cnFh2oDxQd
— FSU Golf (@FSUGolf) May 17, 2023
In a field of 77 golfers, Clanton was one of just six that finished under par. He joins teammate Brett Roberts as Noles whom have won back-to-back regionals, with Roberts winning the NCAA West Palm Beach Regional last year.
Florida State finished at 7-over (281-296-294) for the regional at Institute Golf Club, earning one of the five spots to advance to next week’s NCAA Men’s Golf Championship at Grayhawk Golf Club in Scottsdale, Ariz. FSU begins its title pursuit next Friday, May 26.
Clanton’s final round included three birdies to just one bogey, with two of his birdies coming down the stretch on the back nine. He finished two strokes ahead of second-place Riley Lewis (Loyola Marymount) and Maximilian Steinlechner (NC State).
Scores flew up and down all week in what was an enigmatic regional experience for many, but Clanton was a hallmark of consistency. He recorded rounds of 2-under on each day, an impressive feat with the Morgan Hill Regional playing as one of the hardest sites this week in men’s collegiate golf.
The 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 Seminole freshman to win an @NCAA Regional.
Ladies and gentlemen, Luke Clanton 👏🏻#OneTribe | #GoNoles pic.twitter.com/vlbvCO8ztk
— FSU Golf (@FSUGolf) May 17, 2023
Clanton was at his best on par 3 and par 4 holes. He shot 2-under collectively on the course’s par 3s to tie for the lowest output of any golfer, and finished second at 4-under in par 4 scoring.
Mississippi State (-1) won the Morgan Hill Regional, while BYU (+4), Baylor (+9) and Pepperdine (+11) also advanced as Top 5 finishers along with FSU.
Roberts had a good bounce-back day, shooting a 2-over 74 and tying for 32nd overall at 6-over (71-77-74). Junior Frederik Kjettrup finished at 5-over (68-77-76) to tie for 24th, and freshman Jack Bigham (72-77-74) shot 7-over to tie for 37th.
Cole Anderson also shot 7-over (73-72-78).
The NCAA Men’s Golf Championship…
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