Alabama Defeats Florida, 3-2, in Final Day of SEC Match Play hosted by Jerry Pate

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Sophomore Jonathan Griz won two of the final three holes in his match to secure the winning point and lift No. 13 Alabama to a 3-2 win over No. 8 Florida Wednesday, in the final day of the SEC Match Play hosted by Jerry Pate.

In addition to Griz’s 1up victory, Canon Claycomb (3&2) and Nick Dunlap (2&1) also claimed victory on the day to give the Tide the win and a seventh-place finish in this year’s event.

Jay Seawell Comments

“We played a good Florida team, and we were able to pull out a win. The week started off with an individual win and I’m proud of our team making a nice match play win today. This team needed a spark and some confidence. I think we’re a great team and I think we have the chance to do something really special.

“I’m really proud of Jonathan and the way he finished. He’s such a great player and today he played a first team All-American and was three down through seven holes and came back and beat him on the last hole. If that doesn’t fire you up, I don’t know what does. We’re really excited about the win and look forward to using this momentum next week.”  

Match Play Highlights

• Jonathan Griz made his dramatic comeback while facing Florida’s Ian Gilligan, turning a three-hole deficit into a 1up win
• After going three down through the first seven holes, Griz won the final two holes on the front nine and two of the last three holes on the back nine to squeak out the victory
• Nick Dunlap continued to play well in match play formats as the U.S. Amateur champion defeated Luke Poulter, son of PGA professional Ian Poulter, 2&1
• Dunlap was a hole down through 14 but rallied to win three consecutive holes and close out the match
• Meanwhile, Canon Claycomb led from start to finish, going up by as many as four holes before setting for the 3&2 win
• JP Cave fell to Parker Bell (6&5) while Thomas Ponder dropped his match to Matthew Kress (5&4)

Nick Dunlap Named SEC Men’s Golfer of the Week

• Nick Dunlap won the SEC Match Play hosted by Jerry Pate individual stroke play title Tuesday with a 15-under par 198 (70-65-63) to earn SEC Men’s Golfer of the Week honors, the league announced Wednesday
• Dunlap secured the win in dramatic fashion by sinking a birdie putt on the final hole of the day to finish the day with an 8-under par 63
• With the putt, the Huntsville, Ala., native moved past Vanderbilt’s Gordon Sargeant (-14) as the…