Highest finish for a Boilermaker Since 2004.
The Purdue University men’s golf team had a strong start to the beginning of the third round of this year’s NCAA Men’s Golf National Championships, but the young Boilermakers cooled off late and couldn’t gain any ground on the field, wrapping up their play and participation at the Omni La Costa Resort and Spa.
The Boilermakers recorded a 16-over-par 304 to finish the event in 30th place with a 54-hole total of 904.
Purdue was eight-under par through the first five holes during the third round. For a moment, the Boilermakers entertained thoughts of a miraculous rally to make the final 15 teams and play in the fourth round on Memorial Day. However, Purdue played holes six through nine in nine-over par to squash any comeback hopes.
The Boilermakers then played holes 13 through 18 in 14-over par to move Purdue further down the leader board.
The story, however, of round three was junior Kent Hsiao, who fired a weekend-best, two-under par 70 to finish his tournament in a 34th-place tie at five-over par. Hsiao played the back nine in one-under par and had a chance on 18 to be part of a four-player playoff on Monday morning to gain a spot in the fourth round, but his 10-foot birdie putt just slipped by, ending his NCAA Championships run. His round of 70 was the ninth-best score in round three.
His 34th-place finish was Purdue’s highest individual placing in the NCAA Championships since Shiv Kapur in 2004.
Herman Sekne ended his Purdue career with a 95th-place finish at 12-over par 228 (73-79-76). Sekne started well in round three with birdies on his first and fourth hole, but suffered five bogeys in an eight-hole stretch midway through the round to drop him out of contention for a spot in Monday’s fourth round.
Peyton Snoeberger finished tied for 101st at 13-over par 229 (79-73-77). Snoeberger was three-under par through five holes, but played his last seven holes in six-over par to also drop him out of contention for a spot in Monday’s round.
Nels Surtani was 146th at 38-over par 254 (86-86-82), while Nick Dentino played the final two rounds in 18-over par (81-81=162).
