Preston Summerhays combined consistency with clutch putts on the back-nine to win the individual and team titles at the Thunderbird Collegiate for No. 4/5 Arizona State Men’s Golf.
The list of past Sun Devils to win the Thunderbird Invitational includes PGA Tour major champions – including the most recent Masters Champion Jon Rahm – US Amateur Champions, and a handful of NCAA champions.
That list now includes Scottsdale native Preston Summerhays.
SUN DEVIL INDIVIDUAL THUNDERBIRD COLLEGIATE WINNERS
Preston Summerhays – 2023
James Leow – 2022
Chun An Yu – 2019
Jon Rahm – 2016, 2015, 2014
Stephan Gross – 2009 (co-medalist)
Alejandro Canizares – 2003
Paul Casey – 2001
Jeff Quinney – 2000
Todd Demsey – 1995
Larry Barber – 1994
Phil Mickelson – 1992, 1991
Jim Carter – 1984
Mark Sollenberger – 1974
Summerhays finished the round five-under, including birdies on the final two holes, to give the Sun Devils (264-281-279=824/-28) a one-stroke victory over the University of Arizona. He started his back-nine with a birdie on 10 combined with an Arizona bogey, helping shift the momentum with the Sun Devils.
Summerhays finished the tournament at -13 (66-68-66=200/-13) and was one of two golfers in the field to shoot below a 70 in each of the three rounds in the tournament. He needed a mere 30-strokes on the back-nine.
“With everyone watching, you need someone to step up on the back-nine and Preston did,” said Head Coach Matt Thurmond. “With everyone watching and following that group, we made the clutch putts at the end. It felt like everything was going Arizona’s way early but I just tried to keep my energy up and make sure they knew we still had a chance.”
ASU trailed by as many as seven strokes on the back-nine. They caught fire with 15 team birdies, including five from Summerhays and four from Michael Mjaaseth.
The Sun Devils headed into the final hole tied with Arizona after Summerhays hit a 20-foot birdie putt on the 17th hole.
Preston ??? for birdie on 17. One back.
?? https://t.co/690bA3foba #ForksUp /// ?????? pic.twitter.com/9BfSIWxE84
— Sun Devil Men’s Golf (@sundevilmgolf) April 15, 2023
After an immaculate drive and approach shot to the 18th green, Summerhays secured with his second birdie in as many holes.
One putt. For the team trophy. Preston Summerhays ??? with the tournament-winning…
..
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at Arizona State University Athletics…