By TOM ZEBOLD
USF Senior Writer
BRADENTON, JUNE 1, 2015 – Host USF made program history by advancing to the NCAA Men's Division I Golf Championship and the Bulls reached another incredible milestone by making the final cut of stroke play Monday afternoon.
Four days and 72 holes later, No. 13/14 USF finished strong in sixth place with a 16-over total score that helped the Bulls join elite company at The Concession Golf Club. Only eight teams remain in the hunt for the national title and next up for the Bulls is a matchup with No. 33 Georgia 7 p.m. Tuesday when the tournament switches gears to match play.
“I'm very pleased and very happy. That was the goal at the beginning of the week and the goal at the beginning of the year – to get ourselves in that situation,” head coach Steve Bradley said. “It was a rollercoaster out there and they kept battling as they did all tournament and as they've done all year. They never give up, they believe in each other and I couldn't be more proud of them. It was a tremendous effort today.”
Leading the way once again was Claudio Correa, who was in an arm's reach of the individual lead throughout Monday's round. The American Freshman of the Year represented the conference well by placing sixth at 4-under (68-75-69-72—284) on the par-72, 7,483-yard Concession Golf Club course.
“He did what he needed to do today. He really led us and was steady for us. It was truly incredible,” Bradley said.
Correa found himself one shot off the lead after making consecutive birdies on holes 12-14 at the start of his round. The PING All-Region selection made par on his final four holes on the back nine and made the turn at 6-under, two shots away from eventual winner Bryson DeChambeau of SMU.
DeChambeau, The American Player of the Year, started the day with a one-shot advantage and finished up on the ninth hole with a winning score of 8-under 280 (70-67-72-71).
With DeChambeau waiting in the clubhouse, Correa continued his title pursuit in steady fashion by making par on the first hole. Despite not winning it all, Correa was content with his effort after making par on six of his final eight holes and finishing the round at even par.
“It was pretty good. I was thinking about (the lead) the entire day and I was feeling pretty good on the front nine,” Correa said. “I knew that I had a chance, so I just tried to do my best. My putting wasn't really good on my back nine, but I think it was a pretty good weekend.”
USF's second-best overall score came from junior Chase Koepka, who tied for 29th place at 5-over (72-72-79-70—293). The PING All-Region honoree from West Palm Beach started the day 1-over on the back nine and kept gaining momentum after making the turn by collecting four of his five total birdies.
“(Bradley) just told me to be a leader and the rest of the guys will follow. I took that to heart out there today,” Koepka said. “I just had one bad swing all day on the 15th hole. I didn't put my head down, but I just kept going and I made a really good run on the front.”
USF's fourth score of Monday's round was produced by Bradenton native Rigel Fernandes, who tied for 38th place at 7-over (78-69-73-75—295). Ryan Fricker's 2-over 74 was USF's third-best score of the day and his top showing at the tournament. The senior from Ivybridge, England wound up tied with teammate Trey Valentine for 67th place at 15-over (76-76-77-74—303).
The Bulls now focus their attention to the match play quarterfinals that begin 7 a.m. Tuesday on the 10th hole against Georgia, which tied for third place at the end of stroke play. If the Bulls top the Bulldogs, they'll advance to Tuesday's match play semifinals that begin at 1:30 p.m.
Golf Channel will pick up coverage at 10:30 a.m. and fans looking to attend can access ticket information, directions and much more at NCAAGolfChampionships.com.
