Sides narrowly misses NCAA berth, starts pro career at CJ Cup Bryon Nelson
BRYAN, Texas (SMU) – Will Sides of Tulsa ended his NCAA Regional run with a 16th place finish, three shots back of advancing to the NCAA Championship. He promptly turned professional and is teeing off today in the CJ Cup Byron Nelson at TPC Ranch in McKinney, Texas.
Sides was in contention all day for the final NCAA Championship spot, given to the top individual not on an advancing team. With two rounds on the docket because of expected Wednesday weather, Sides shot another round of 69 in round two to put himself near the spot he needed to advance. Sides bogeyed just one time in round two. He was eight-under for the tournament after an eagle on the fifth hole in round three. The Tulsa, Oklahoma native finished the tournament at five-under par in 16th place, three shots back of the final advancing spot.
Sides finished his season with a new SMU record for season scoring. His mark of 69.63 bested the previous record of 70.00 by Noah Goodwin (2020-21). He broke the record for rounds of par or better in a season with 28 topping Bryson DeChambeau and Max Buckley’s shared record of 23. The senior moved his career scoring average down to 71.07, 0.03 off the program record. He ranks second at SMU in career rounds of par or better with 78 trailing only Kelly Kraft’s 81.
The SMU men’s golf season ended with the final round at the NCAA Regional. The team won four individual titles (three by Sides on the season) and wrapped up ACCs with a top 50 ranking.