Sun Devil Men’s Golf remains in good spot through 54 holes

The fifth-ranked Sun Devil men’s golf team did what it needed to do Sunday to put itself in great position to be a part of the NCAA match play championship at the Omni La Costa Resort and Spa (North Course).

ASU sits in second at 6-under 858 (286-277-295), led by sophomore Connor Williams who cooled down on Sunday with a 3-over 75, but remains in third at 6-under 210 (68-67-75), as Michael La Sasso of Ole Miss leads the way with 11-under 205 (68-67-70).

When play starts Monday, ASU will be 18 shots ahead of three teams tied for seventh, as the top eight teams move onto match play on Monday for both quarterfinal and semifinal matches Tuesday.

ASU will turn around and tee Monday starting at 12:21 p.m.

Sparky Notes

• This is the first time Arizona State will be in the final group on the last day of stroke play since 2021, when they were in third place and ascended into first place with a strong finish.
• Arizona State is looking to advance to match play for the fourth time under Matt Thurmond. They are a combined 3-3 in match play since Thurmond took over in 2017. ASU has appeared in match play five times since the format was put in place back in 2009.
• Three Sun Devils currently sit in the top-5, including Connor Williams (T3rd) and Josele Ballester (T10th) in the top-15. Matt Thurmond has had four top-10 finishers at the NCAA Championship since taking over at Arizona State prior to the 2016-17 season.
  • Cameron Sisk, 2022 (T5th)
  • Ryggs Johnston, 2021 (3rd)
  • Cameron Sisk, 2021 (T8th)
  • Chun An Yu, 2019 (3rd)
• Arizona State has the lowest scoring average on par three holes (3.12). They also have the second-lowest scoring average on par five opportunities (4.75), going 15-under on those holes.
• Connor Williams birdied the sixth hole for the third consecutive day. His 12 birdies put him Top-10 in the field in the category.
• Connor Williams‘ par-five scoring average of 4.33 (8-under) is tied for the best in the field. 

Coach Matt Thurmond after Sunday’s round
“In a four-round tournament, there are all types of days. Yesterday, we had a round where it all worked out. We only had six bogeys on counting scorecards. Today, it seemed like we were snake-bitten from the very start. Preston (Summerhays) hitting the flag stick, a couple of balls plugging, things that you avoid when things are going well. It was harder to get through it all today, but I thought we hung in there.”
 
On facing a tougher course today
“They dealt with some tricky pin placements…