Deep Cowboys roll to 17-shot victory in Waikoloa, Hovland, Wolff tie for second
WAIKOLOA, Hawaii – Oklahoma State’s men’s golf team opened its spring slate in impressive fashion, cruising to a 17-shot victory on Saturday at the Amer Ari Intercollegiate at Waikoloa Kings’ Course.
The top-ranked Cowboys, who have now won the event seven times, captured their first crown at the tournament since 2014. They have won three of their four starts during the 2017-18 campaign as well.
OSU carded the round of the day by seven strokes, finishing with an 18-under 270 at the par-72, 7,074-yard layout. Overall, the Cowboys tallied a 47-under total of 817 to finish 17 shots clear of runner-up Texas Tech, which carded an 834 total. Southern California was third at 837.
Individually, four of OSU’s five starters finished in the top 10 with sophomore Viktor Hovland and freshman Matthew Wolff leading the way. The duo tied for second place at 12-under 204, one shot behind USC’s Justin Suh.
Hovland blistered the Kings’ Course with a closing 7-under 65. He tallied a 4-under 32 on his outward nine that featured two eagles and seven pars. He came home in 3-under 33 with four birdies on his back nine to climb 10 spots into the runner-up position.
Wolff moved into second courtesy of a 4-under 68 during his third round. He stood at 4-under on the day with two birdies and an eagle over his first six holes. After turning in 3-under 33, he birdied the 11th before carding his lone bogey on the back side at the 13th. He rebounded with his fourth birdie of the day at the 17th.
Junior Hayden Wood closed with a 71 to finish a stroke off the pace of his teammates and tied for fourth place at 205.
Junior Zach Bauchou closed with a 69 to finish at 207 and tied for ninth place.
Freshman Austin Eckroat posted his low round of the event, finishing with a 68 to move into a tie for 32nd place at 213.
Kristoffer Ventura led a trio of Cowboys competing individually. The senior signed for a closing 67 to finish tied for 13th place at 208. Classmate Sam Stevens carded a 71 on Saturday to tie for 25th place at 211. Junior Nick Heinen’s 76 during his third round tied him for 91st at 226.
The Cowboys will resume their spring slate on Feb. 19 when they begin play at The Prestige at PGA West.
Team Scores
- Oklahoma State—280-267-270=817
- Texas Tech—281-275-278=834
- Southern California—282-276-279=837
- Texas—279-283-279=841
Individual Scores
- Justin Suh, USC—69-66-68=203
- Viktor Hovland, OSU—72-67-65=204
2. Matthew Wolff, OSU—69-67-68=204
T4. Hayden Wood, OSU—69-65-71=205
T9. Zach Bauchou, OSU—70-68-69=207
T32. Austin Eckroat, OSU—72-73-68=213
OSU Individuals
T13. Kristoffer Ventura, OSU—69-72-67=208
T26. Sam Stevens, OSU—73-67-71=211
T91. Nick Heinen, OSU—73-77-76=226