Arizona Bears Down in Hokuala’s Trade Winds to Win Fourth Burns Title

(KAUA’I, Hawai‘i) – Motivated by last year’s runner-up finish to BYU, No. 9 Arizona weathered strong winds all week on the Ocean Course at Hokuala to emerge victorious in the 2024 John A. Burns Intercollegiate. California, New Mexico, Grand Canyon and Long Beach State rounded out the top five.
 
“Our team’s ability to maintain their composure down the stretch on this challenging layout was commendable,” said Arizona Men’s Golf Coach, Jim Anderson, who has guided the program since 2012. “Beginning with Yannick and continuing with Zach, different players shined each day, which culminated in a rewarding victory. The Burns remains one of our favorite events year-in and year-out.”
 
Heading into the final round, the Wildcats grew their two-shot lead to finish at 20-under par (844) and claim their fourth Burns’ team title (1992, 2003, ’04, ’24). Following Arizona’s second-place finish in their home event in Tucson, Anderson’s team rose to the occasion on Kaua’i. Three Wildcats placed in the top 9, led by Yannick Malik (2nd place), who tied the Burns’ single-round scoring record on Thursday at 8-under (64), and Zach Pollo (T3), the 2023 California Amateur and 2022-23 Pac-12 All-Freshman selection.
 
California, with five Burns’ titles to their name (2011, ’12, ’13, ’14, ’15), had the lowest final-round score of 17-under to finish in solo second. New Mexico, who has traveled to the Aloha State for all 47 editions of the Burns and has three team tournament titles (2001, ’05, ’22), placed in third at 10-under.
 
Sophomore Yannick Malik finished runner-up at 8-under par to lead the Wildcats. Malik’s best career finish came after he opened his week with a blistering-low round of 64 on Thursday. Zach Pollo gave Arizona another top-three finish as the sophomore carded a final score of 7-under, which put him in a tie for third with California’s Kuangyu Chen.
 
The Wildcats will take the rest of February off after playing three tournaments in the new year. Arizona returns to action for its annual trip to the Cabo Collegiate in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, beginning on Sunday, March 3.