(Scottsdale, AZ) The No. 4 Arizona State men’s golf team captured the hearts of Sun Devil Nation during a magical run to the National Title, ultimately falling short in a nail biting 3-2 matchup against No. 7 Texas at Grayhawk Golf Club.
Arizona State nearly captured its third national championship with match wins from Mason Andersen and David Puig, leaving the outcome hanging in the balance of the day’s final match. The Sun Devils went toe-to-toe with the Longhorns after defeating reigning national champions No. 6 Pepperdine and downing top-ranked Oklahoma earlier in the week.
“What are my emotions? So many, it’s hard to hold them back, honestly,” said head coach Matt Thurmond. “I think the coolest thing is how much they (the team) loves each other. If you look at them, you can just tell. They care about each other, and they’re going to miss those seniors, and how much they wanted to win for each other and how hard they played. No matter what, they battled to the very end, so really I’m proud.”
Hundreds of Sun Devil fans came out to Grayhawk Golf Club to witness the program attempt to make history. The crowd was passionate and impactful throughout the afternoon, giving Arizona State the feel of a home tournament.
The national runner-ups completed the best finish in Sun Devil Men’s Golf history since 1996 – 25 years ago when the team brought the championship trophy back to Tempe. They built off last seasons third place effort, putting together back-to-back historic finishes.
“It’s a painful loss, you don’t get chances to win national championships very often and we had a chance at the very end and it takes so much to get here. I’m disappointed for them because it was such a special group.”
MATCH PLAY RESULTS (2-3)
MASON ANDERSEN DEF. COLE HAMMER, 3&2
Mason Andersen controlled his match the entire way, taking an early lead and never relenting. He was up by as much as four during the match, eventually sealing the deal on 16 to secure the first point for the Sun Devils.
PARKER COODY DEF. JAMES LEOW, 6&5
PIERCESON COODY DEF. PRESTON SUMMERHAYS, 2&1
DAVID PUIG DEF. MASON NOME, 19 HOLES
An epic battle developed between David Puig and his opponent Mason Nome. They would need more than 18 holes to decide it, as it came down the a playoff. Back on 10, Puig defeated Nome to secure the second point and even the match.
TRAVIS VICK DEF. CAMERON SISK, 1 UP
NOTABLES
- It is the program’s highest finish since they won the 1996 NCAA Championship.
- Mason Andersen went 3-0 in match play, capping his epic performance off with a win over Cole Hammer in the championship.
- Hammer had previously defeated 2019 National Champion Matthew Wolff and 2022 National Champion Gordon Sargent in earlier match play competition.
- First seven seed to make a National Title since LSU in 2015.
- Since the Championship was switched to Match Play format in 2009, Arizona State is the first team to defeat both the defending National Champion and runner-up in the same season.
SEMIFINAL RESULTS — ASU DEFEATS PEPPERDINE (reigning National Champions),
In a match where nothing seemed to be decided except Preston Summerhays winning as he was 5-up through 10, that is exactly what wasn’t decided until hole 18.
Summerhays lost five of six holes after getting the lead. Mason Andersen was 1-up through 12, then within a few clicks of Golfstat was down two through 16. Meanwhile, David Puig took a lead on six that felt…just OK…but not overwhelming. Never more than two, and one hole for much of it.
Those three eventual winners didn’t blink, despite Andersen losing holes 14, 15 and 16 and winning four total holes. He trailed after holes for half of the match. Summerhays lost five of six holes down the stretch…then birdied the final two holes to win.
QUARTERFINAL RESULTS — ASU DEFEATS OKLAHOMA, 3-2
Arizona State and top-ranked Oklahoma had an intense battle that ended with Cameron Sisk hitting a birdie putt in an extra hole at No. 10. Getting points for ASU were Mason Andersen (1-up with a birdie on 18 to clinch it), Preston Summerhays (7 and 5 over first-team All-American and Haskins Award winner Chris Gotterup) and Cameron Sisk winning in 18 holes over Stephen Campbell.
Andersen’s match never had a lead bigger than one hole. Patrick Welch was 1-up through 10, but Andersen tied it at No. 12. On 18 Andersen hit a great second shot and buried the birdie putt.
Press Release courtesy of Sun Devil Athletics – Doug Tammaro
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