Wake Forest Claims Second Team Title at Highlands Invitational

WESTCHESTER, Ill.– The Wake Forest men’s golf team claimed back-to-back team titles for the first time since 2017, winning the Highlands Invitational by eight strokes Tuesday in Chicago. This was the 48th win under the direction of head coach Jerry Haas. 

As one of two teams to finish under-par, Wake Forest finished their dominant performance with four players inside the top-ten with a final score of 840 (-24). The Deacs extended their season-opening streak of under-par team rounds to six straight. The Demon Deacons have shot 24-under-par in the first two tournaments this season which rank in the top 25 in program history.

Sophomore Jorge Hao captured his first collegiate title, tying the fourth-lowest 54-hole score to par (since spring 1976) with a final score of 199 (-17):

Hao’s first victory was highlighted by three under-par rounds, including two consecutive rounds of 65 (-7). Leading by five strokes, Hao tallied an impressive 19 birdies and four bogeys over three rounds. This is also the second individual wins for the Demon Deacons this season as Nicholas Prieto claimed the title at the Bryan National Collegiate last week.

Tom Haberer, Kyle Haas and Jakob Melin each turned in three rounds of par or better to push Wake Forest to the team title.

Haberer recorded six birdies in his final round, three of them coming consecutively on holes 16-18. The Hildesheim, Germany native claimed a runner-up finish, the best of his career, with a score of 204 (-12). 

Haas shot a bogey-free final round 68 (-4) tied for a third place finish, the third of his career which are all career-bests. Melin shot his best in round two, carding a 69 (-3), to find himself a T9 finish. 

From Coach Haas:

“We played really nicely down the stretch. I believe we played the last three holes…