Manke Ready To Compete For 2022 NCAA Championship

Washington’s RJ Manke will compete for the individual NCAA Championship this coming Friday through Monday, May 27-30, at Grayhawk Golf club in Scottsdale, Ariz.
 
Manke, a fifth-year senior from Lakewood, Wash., is competing at NCAAs as an individual, having advanced with the lowest score among non-advancing teams at the NCAA Stockton Regional last week.
 
Washington has had one player – James Lepp – win NCAA medalist. Lepp won the title in 2005, at Caves Valley Golf Club in Owings Mills, MD. Three other Huskies have finished second: Cheng-Tsung Pan (2015), Nick Taylor (2008) and Troy Kelly (1999).
 
Grayhawk, which also hosted the NCAA Women’s Golf Championships this year, will play at par 70, and 7,289 yards for the men’s tournament, which features 30 teams and six individuals, including Manke. All 30 teams and six individuals will play three rounds (54 holes) over Friday, Saturday and Sunday. After Sunday’s third round, the top 15 teams and nine individuals (from teams other than those advancing) will continue on to a fourth round on Monday, where the individual medalist will be crowned based on his 72-hole total. The top eight teams will advance to match play, which will determine the team champion.
 
Manke enters the tournament ranked No. 6 in the most recent GolfStat.com rankings. During his first season at the UW, he has compiled one of the most successful seasons in program history. His 69.10 scoring average is currently on pace to set a new school record, breaking Pan’s 69.89, set in 2015.
 
Manke has nine top-10 finished in 13 events during the 2021-22 season, including nine in the top five. Of the 40 rounds he’s played this year, 20 have been in the 60s and 26 have been under par.
 
Here’s a look at the top individual NCAA finishes in UW men’s golf history:
 
NCAA Championships Top-25 Finishers
 
Place – Name – Year  – Score
1st – James Lepp  – 2005  – 276 (70-67-76-63)
2nd – Cheng-Tsung Pan  – 2015  – 281 (72-70-72-67)
2nd – Nick Taylor  – 2008 – 289 (75-66-73-75)
2nd – Troy Kelly  – 1999 – 287 (75-71-70-71)
5th – Brock Mackenzie  – 2003 – 291 (77-71-72-71)
8th – James Lepp  – 2006  – 285 (69-71-71-74)
9th – Chris Williams  – 2010 – 212 (72-71-69)
9th – Nick Taylor  – 2009 – 213 (70-70-73)
15th – Alex Prugh  – 2006  – 281 (67-72-74-74)
15th – Brock…