Cougars clinch 57th PING Cougar Classic, Lundell wins individual title

PROVO, Utah — A late charge by BYU men’s golf lifted the Cougars to a 7-shot victory at the 57th PING Cougar Classic at Riverside Country Club, Saturday.

Team Championship

BYU went 12-under over its last eight holes to leapfrog San Diego to secure its 39th team title in the 57-year history of the event. A 15-under-par final round gave BYU a 54-hole total of 270-289-273—832, 32-under-par.

San Diego carded rounds of 273-279-287—839 to take second place with Colorado State jumping into third after a 12-under final round for a 281-294-276—851 total. Washington State came in fourth at even-par posting rounds of 284-295-285—864. No. 35 Nevada (288-290-287—865), No. 48 Boise State (278-295-292—865) and Utah Valley (288-290-287—865) all finished in a tie for fifth at 1-over-par to round out the top-5.

Individual Championship

BYU’s Carson Lundell and San Diego’s Andi Xu tied for first at 11-under-par and were declared co-champions. The senior from Alpine, Utah, began the final round 9-shots off the 36-hole leader in a tie for sixth. Lundell birdied four of his first six holes before a bogey on the par-3 ninth hole, the only blemish on his card.

After three pars to start the back nine, the senior rattled off four straight birdies to get to 7-under on the round. Lundell fired rounds of 65-75-65—205 including the 7-under 65 in the final round to win the Cougar Classic for the second straight year.

David Timmins finished runner-up after carding rounds of 63-68-75—206. Timmins 10-under-par, runner-up finish marks his lowest 54-hole score and best finish of his BYU career. Although the senior encountered a few hiccups in the middle of his round, he played a crucial role in the Cougars team victory, birdieing three of his last five holes.

Tyson Shelley earned the first top-10 finish of his young career at the Cougar by posting rounds of 73-70-68—211. Shelley was key in the Cougars run down the stretch as he birdied the par-4 14th hole and proceeded to drive the par-4 16th green. He had about 30-feet for eagle and calmly drained the putt to give the Cougars a three-shot lead over the Toreros with two holes to play.

The freshman showed his composure as he stepped to the par-3 17th tee, hit his ball 25-feet right of the pin and sank the putt to extend the BYU lead.

Shelley’s playing partner Cole Ponich fed off the energy and went two-under over the last four holes to contribute to what became a 7-shot Cougar victory. Ponich carded rounds of 69-76-69—214 and finished in 19th place, his third top-20 finish this season.

Keanu Akina rounded out the scoring for the BYU team finishing in a tie for 44th after rounds of 74-77-71—222. Keanu went 2-under par in his last five holes to shoot 1-under on the final day and help the Cougars to the win.

Individuals

BYU also had four players compete as individuals. Brock Goyen made his first start of the season and immediately made his presence felt by finishing tied for 10th. Goyen was the only Cougar to post sub-par scores in all three rounds of the Cougar Classic by shooting 69-71-71—211.

Max Brenchley earned his second top-15 finish of the year by shooting 69-72-72—213. Brenchley bested his finish at last year’s Cougar Classic by three shots finishing in a tie for 15th, 27-spots higher than his 2021 finish.

Zach Jones was the seventh Cougar to finish in the top-20 and fired rounds of 71-72-72—215. Elijah Turner rounded out the scoring for BYU, finishing with rounds of 76-74-72—223.

The Cougars are currently ranked No. 50 in the country and finished ahead of No. 35 Nevada and No. 48 Boise State. BYU will turn its attention to the West Coast Conference Championship at 
Lake Las Vegas Golf Club in Henderson, Nevada, April 29-May 1.