Men's Golf Finishes Strong at the NCAA Columbus Regional

Wednesday, May 16

Columbus, Ohio

All Day

University of Louisville

2018 NCAA Regional

Men's Golf Finishes Strong at the NCAA Columbus Regional

May 16, 2018 | Men's Golf

The Cardinals moved up to ninth at the NCAA Regional.

By: Rocco Gasparro

COLUMBUS, Ohio- The University of Louisville men's golf team headed into the final round of the NCAA's Columbus Regional with an eye on the 2018-19 season.

Sitting in 11^th place to open the final round of play, the Cardinals were a long shot to break into the top five – the place needed to advance to the NCAA Golf
Championships in Stillwater, Oklahoma.

With four starters returning next season, the final round was an opportunity for the team to continue to gain experience and prepare for what could be another trip to the regional next year.

Head coach Mark Crabtree wanted to see how his team would respond with just pride on the line Wednesday, and the veteran coach was pleased.

The Cardinals played their best round, shooting an 8-over-par 292 to finish in ninth place overall. For the three days, the Cardinals fired a 46-over-par 300-306-292=898. Oklahoma State took home the top honors at 8-under-par, while Illinois, UNLV, Northwestern, and Texas Tech all advanced to the next round.

"I'm real pleased with guys and how they played today," Crabtree said. "Simon (Zach) and Matthias (Schmid) played well and led us. They showed strong determination and good energy which I was looking for out of them."

"With five returnees playing today, we gained some experience and we have much work to do for next year."

Junior Simon Zach led the way for the Cardinals, shooting the only even-round – carding a 71 on Wednesday. After shooting a 1-over-par on the first nine holes, Zach responded by firing a 1-under-par on the back. He birdied No. 1 and No. 2, while also scoring on No. 6. He finished in a tie for 30^th after his rounds of 76-75-71=222.

Freshman Matthias Schmid also tied for 30^th after his third-round of 72. He was steady on the day, recording only two birdies, but also had just three bogeys to finish the tournament at 74-76-72=222.

Devin Morley tied for 51^st overall, shooting 75-77-76=228, while John Murphy tied for 57^th after he carded scores of 79-78-73=230.

The Cardinals made a lineup change for the final day as Nicloas Platret, the No. 1 player, suffered an injury on Tuesday and was replaced by Trevor Johnson. Platret shot a 75-79=154 after two rounds, finishing his career at 12-over-par.

Johnson shot a 5-over-76 on Wednesday to close out the top five.

The Cardinals, who opened on the back nine, shot 2-over-par in the first none holes. They started off strong by playing the first four holes at even par. Devin Morley birdied No. 11 and John Murphy and Simon Zach scored a birdies on No. 12. To give the squad three birdies on the first five holes.

The Cardinals closed the tournament by registering eight birdies on the final nine holes of the tournament.