(Carefree, AZ) Sun Devil Men’s Golf emerged victorious at the 2024 Pac-12 Men’s Golf Championship, hosted at Desert Forest Golf Club.
No. 3 Arizona State not only maintained the lead they had built entering the day, but extended it, dominating the rest of the competition on the final day to seal the title. Sun Devil Men’s Golf Head Coach Matt Thurmond secured his fourth overall Pac-12 Team Championship and the first at the helm in Tempe. ASU adds to their record total of 13 Pac-10/12 team championships since joining the league in 1978-79, which is five more than any other school (USC, 8).
The Sun Devils saved their best for last, combining for a 352 (-3), which was five strokes better than any other team. Arizona State showed poise and maturity down the stretch, coming through in pressure situations to ensure the title returned to Tempe. It was a total team effort that allowed the Maroon & Gold to pull off a dominant 16-stroke win, the largest margin of victory at a Pac-12 Men’s Golf Championship since 2016.
“This is an exciting accomplishment for our program,” Coach Thurmond remarked following the victory. “The players put in so much hard work and it is special to see it pay off with a championship. We are proud to be able to represent Arizona State University and follow in the great tradition of Sun Devil Men’s Golf.”
Leading the way individually was Ryggs Johnston, who continues to add to an already decorated resume. After a slow start to the tournament (+5 through 5), Johnston shot six-under over his final 67 holes. He carded his third consecutive round in the 60s, securing Pac-12 Silver Medalist honors thanks to a second place finish. Not far behind was Wenyi Ding, who was outstanding in his postseason debut. Ding entered the day in the individual lead and stayed there for a majority of the day, gaining valuable experience on a big stage. He joined Johnston in finishing in the Top-10, earning a tie for sixth.
Winning the 2024 Pac-12 Men’s Golf Title took contributions from everyone in the lineup, as the Sun Devils put forth an extremely balanced effort. Four Sun Devils finished in the Top-15, including freshman Connor Williams. Williams shot a 69 (-2) in the final round of his first Pac-12 Championship to move up 14 spots and into a tie for 13th. Matching him in the move upwards was Preston Summerhays, who skyrocketed an incredible 28 spots before ending in a tie for 15th. Summerhays was dialed in and determined to lead his team a championship, shooting a 66 (-5), the second-lowest score of the day and lowest by any Sun Devil at the event.
Head Coach Matt Thurmond‘s team needed counting scores from each of the six individuals at different points throughout the four rounds, an indication of the depth of the Sun Devil lineup. Josele Ballester and Michael Mjaaseth each delivered counting scores on the final day and helped ASU cruise to the title.
ROUND BREAKDOWN
Ryggs Johnston(-1/283/2nd)
ROUND 4: 69 (-2)
BIRDIES (6): Hole 3 (Par 3; 171 yards), Hole 8 (Par 3; 231 yards), Hole 9 (Par 5; 533 yards), Hole 10 (Par 4; 392 yards), Hole 11 (Par 5; 594 yards), Hole 14 (Par 14; 329 yards)
Wenyi Ding (+4/288/T6th)
ROUND 4: 77 (+6)
EAGLE (1): Hole 9 (Par 5; 533 yards)
BIRDIES (1): Hole 14 (Par 14; 329 yards)
Connor Williams (+10/294/T13th)
ROUND 4: 69 (-2)
BIRDIES (6): Hole 2 (Par 4; 456 yards), Hole 10 (Par 4; 392 yards), Hole 12 (Par 3; 194 yards), Hole 14 (Par 4; 329 yards), Hole 17 (Par 3; 169 yards)
Preston Summerhays (+11/295/T15th)
ROUND 4: 66 (-5)
BIRDIES (6): Hole 4 (Par 4; 441 yards), Hole 6 (Par 4; 371 yards), Hole 9 (Par 5; 533 yards), Hole 10 (Par 4; 392 yards), Hole 11 (Par 5; 594 yards), Hole 14 (Par 14; 329 yards)
Josele Ballester (+15/299/T34th)
ROUND 4: 75 (+4)
BIRDIES (3): Hole 9 (Par 5; 533 yards), Hole 11 (Par 5; 594 yards), Hole 16 (Par 5; 435 yards)
Michael Mjaaseth (+20/304/T48th)
ROUND 4: 73 (+2)
BIRDIES (4): Hole 1 (Par 4; 404 yards), Hole 4 (Par 4; 441 yards), Hole 9 (Par 5; 533 yards), Hole 16 (Par 5; 435 yards)
TEAM STANDINGS
| Place | Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | To Par |
| 1 | Arizona State | 368 | 365 | 362 | 352 | +27 |
| 2 | California | 368 | 370 | 360 | 365 | +43 |
| 3 | Stanford | 359 | 378 | 369 | 358 | +44 |
INDIVIDUAL STANDINGS
| Place | Player | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | To Par |
| 2 | Ryggs Johnston | 78 | 67 | 69 | 69 | -1 |
| T6 | Wenyi Ding | 70 | 71 | 70 | 77 | +4 |
| T13 | Connor Williams | 75 | 77 | 73 | 69 | +10 |
| T15 | Preston Summerhays | 75 | 81 | 73 | 66 | +11 |
| T34 | Josele Ballester | 71 | 76 | 77 | 75 | +15 |
| T48 | Michael Mjaaseth | 77 | 74 | 80 | 73 | +20 |
TERRITORIAL CUP POINT SECURED
Arizona State earns the Territorial Cup® Series point thanks to finishing ahead of Arizona at the 2024 Pac-12 Men’s Golf Championship. ASU has had the upper hand in the series as of late, finishing better than Arizona in 15 of the past 18 Pac-12 men’s golf championships, missing Territorial Cup Series points only in 2011, 2012 and 2021.
MOST PAC-10/12 TEAM TITLES SINCE 1979 (ASU and Arizona joined the Pac-10 in the 1978-79 athletic season)
ARIZONA STATE (13): 2024, 2008, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996, 1995, 1993, 1990, 1989, 1981, 1979
USC (8): 2018, 2011, 2007, 2002, 2001, 1986, 1984, 1980
STANFORD (7): 2023, 2019, 2016, 2015, 2014, 1994, 1992
WASHINGTON (5): 2022, 2010, 2009, 2005, 1988
UCLA (5): 2006, 2003, 1985, 1983, 1982
ARIZONA (4): 2021, 2004, 1991, 1987
CALIFORNIA (2): 2013, 2012
OREGON (1): 2017
Press Release courtesy of Sun Devil Athletics –
Connor Smith
Click on Logo
