NCAA Men’s Golf Championship 2023: Teams compete for the first cut at Grayhawk

The NCAA Division I Men’s Golf Championship at Grayhawk witnessed intense competition as 30 teams battled it out during the initial 54 holes of stroke play. As the tournament progressed, the field narrowed down to 15 teams, with an exciting playoff set to determine the final spot.

The top eight teams remaining after the final round of stroke play would advance to the match play stage, commencing the following day.

Amidst the tension and excitement of the golf tournament lines, let’s take a closer look at the teams that made it through the first cut and their performances leading up to this point.

Dominant performances at the forefront

Illinois (6 under)

Illinois showcased near-flawless play throughout the first three days, placing them comfortably ahead of the cut line. Adrien Dumont de Chassart, Jackson Buchanan, and Tommy Kuhl led the way for the team.

Pepperdine (3 under)

Pepperdine made a strong move on Sunday, carding an impressive 11-under 269 to secure their position among the top teams. Having won the title in 2021 and reaching the semifinals last year, the Waves are no strangers to contention.

Florida (1 under)

Florida continued their solid performance, shooting 2 under on Sunday and positioning themselves favorably for match play. Fred Biondi, John DuBois, and Ricky Castillo have been instrumental in the team’s success.

North Carolina (1 over)

Despite missing ACC match play earlier, the Tar Heels displayed their strength at Grayhawk. Dylan Menante, a transfer from Pepperdine, leads the team with a solo second position at 5 under.

Georgia Tech (2 over)

Consistency has been the hallmark of Georgia Tech’s performance, led by Ross Steelman’s exceptional rounds. Steelman’s commanding 9-under 201 secured him a four-shot lead in the individual competition.

Battling for the remaining spots

Stanford (10 over)

Stanford made significant strides on Sunday, shooting a remarkable 6-under 274 to climb seven spots in the rankings. Barclay Brown’s strong performance led the team’s charge.

Arizona State (11 over)

After a slow start, Arizona State improved steadily and now looks to regain their match play final appearance from the previous year. Michael Mjaaseth’s standout performance propelled the Sun Devils forward.

Florida State (13 over) & Vanderbilt (13 over)

Florida State and Vanderbilt find themselves tied for the final spot, requiring a playoff to determine who progresses. Both teams have had their ups and downs, but they still have a chance to secure a spot in match play.

Teams on the cusp

Virginia (14 over)

Virginia has positioned themselves well to earn a match play spot, with standout performances from freshman Ben James and Bryan Lee. However, they need a strong finish to solidify their advancement.

Auburn (16 over)

Auburn faced some challenges during the third round but managed to secure their position inside the cut line. Reed Lotter’s impressive performance will be crucial as they strive to move up the leaderboard.

Texas A&M (17 over)

Texas A&M’s journey to the NCAA Championship has been filled with ups and downs, but they will need another exceptional effort to secure a match play berth. Daniel Rodrigues leads the team’s charge.

Alabama (21 over)

Although comfortably inside the cut line, Alabama has ground to make up compared to the teams in front. The Crimson Tide aims to recapture their 2018 match play final appearance.

Georgia (24 over)

Georgia narrowly made it through, struggling to stay above the cut line for the majority of the day.

Conclusion

The NCAA Men’s Golf Championship at Grayhawk has witnessed remarkable performances and intense competition. As the field narrows down to the top 15 teams, the excitement intensifies. With Illinois leading the pack and Pepperdine, Florida, North Carolina, and Georgia Tech close behind, the battle for the championship title is far from over.

Teams on the cusp, including Stanford, Arizona State, Florida State, and Vanderbilt, will give their all to secure their place in match play. The playoff between Texas Tech and Ohio State adds an extra layer of anticipation as the tournament progresses to its next stage.