LAS VEGAS – A flashy 7-under final round propelled No. 2 Auburn to a 10-shot victory Tuesday at the Southern Highlands Collegiate at Southern Highlands Golf Club in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The Tigers finished the week at 9-under 855 to take top honors. They were the lone squad to conclude play below par. It was Auburn’s first stroke play event win of the 2024-25 season.
“What a great showing by our guys this week,” head coach Nick Clinard said. “We’d yet to really put it into high gear and play at our best this season, and I think this tournament is a sign of that, physically and mentally. Hopefully this is the first domino to fall and push us on an upward trajectory as we get rolling deeper into the spring. I’m proud of the efforts of all five guys this week.”
Four of the five men in the Auburn lineup earned top 15 placements, highlighted by Carson Bacha who finished second. The senior from York, Pennsylvania has now been the squad’s low man in each of the last three tournaments.
“It was great to flex our depth this week with this group of guys,” Bacha said. “We’re super proud of how we played, especially in the final round. We handled the tough weather the first few days with great attitudes and came out firing today.
“Pleased with what I was able to contribute today. I had the goal to go bogey-free, so it was great to be able to sprinkle in some circles as well. I’m grateful for the Lord and the talents he’s blessed us with.”
Bacha began the tournament with a 71 (-1) and a 74 (+2) but exploded for a 64 (-8) on Tuesday to end his run at 7-under. His third-round scorecard was squeaky clean with six birdies, 11 pars and one eagle.
UNLV’s Caden Fioroni topped Bacha by two shots to earn low medalist.
Sophomore Josiah Gilbert was a consistent threat from hole 1 to 54 as he never dipped outside the event’s top five. He shot 70-69-74 to finish fourth. Gilbert shares the team lead with Bacha for top-five finishes this season. Each has three.
Brendan Valdes finished one stroke back of Gilbert in fifth place. The senior began the tournament with a pair of 73s (+1) before locking in a 68 (-4) for the final round, which included a 30 (-6) on the front 9 with birdies on holes 2, 3, 4, 5, 8 and 9.
It was the 68th subpar round of the Orlando, Florida native’s career, which saw him match Jovan Rebula (2016-20) and J.M. Butler (2020-24) for the program record.
Behind Valdes was senior Ryan Eshleman, who finished 12th. Eshleman’s week consisted of scorecards of 73 (+1), 71 (-1) and 75 (+3). He cashed in on his fourth consecutive finish in the top 15.
Freshman Billy Davis shot 80-74-75 to score 13-over.
FINAL STANDINGS
1.No. 1 Auburn -9
2. UNLV +1
3. New Mexico +7
4. No. 9 Virginia +10
T5. No. 4 Oklahoma +19
T5. No. 11 Florida +19
T5. No. 24 Pepperdine +19
T5. RV Texas A&M +19
9. USC +20
10. No. 12 Illinois +23
11. No. 22 San Diego State +29
12. No. 18 SMU +31
13. No. 16 Georgia Tech +32
14. Washington +44
15. RV Georgia +48
The Tigers finished the week at 9-under 855 to take top honors. They were the lone squad to conclude play below par. It was Auburn’s first stroke play event win of the 2024-25 season.
“What a great showing by our guys this week,” head coach Nick Clinard said. “We’d yet to really put it into high gear and play at our best this season, and I think this tournament is a sign of that, physically and mentally. Hopefully this is the first domino to fall and push us on an upward trajectory as we get rolling deeper into the spring. I’m proud of the efforts of all five guys this week.”
Four of the five men in the Auburn lineup earned top 15 placements, highlighted by Carson Bacha who finished second. The senior from York, Pennsylvania has now been the squad’s low man in each of the last three tournaments.
“It was great to flex our depth this week with this group of guys,” Bacha said. “We’re super proud of how we played, especially in the final round. We handled the tough weather the first few days with great attitudes and came out firing today.
“Pleased with what I was able to contribute today. I had the goal to go bogey-free, so it was great to be able to sprinkle in some circles as well. I’m grateful for the Lord and the talents he’s blessed us with.”
Bacha began the tournament with a 71 (-1) and a 74 (+2) but exploded for a 64 (-8) on Tuesday to end his run at 7-under. His third-round scorecard was squeaky clean with six birdies, 11 pars and one eagle.
UNLV’s Caden Fioroni topped Bacha by two shots to earn low medalist.
Sophomore Josiah Gilbert was a consistent threat from hole 1 to 54 as he never dipped outside the event’s top five. He shot 70-69-74 to finish fourth. Gilbert shares the team lead with Bacha for top-five finishes this season. Each has three.
Brendan Valdes finished one stroke back of Gilbert in fifth place. The senior began the tournament with a pair of 73s (+1) before locking in a 68 (-4) for the final round, which included a 30 (-6) on the front 9 with birdies on holes 2, 3, 4, 5, 8 and 9.
It was the 68th subpar round of the Orlando, Florida native’s career, which saw him match Jovan Rebula (2016-20) and J.M. Butler (2020-24) for the program record.
Behind Valdes was senior Ryan Eshleman, who finished 12th. Eshleman’s week consisted of scorecards of 73 (+1), 71 (-1) and 75 (+3). He cashed in on his fourth consecutive finish in the top 15.
Freshman Billy Davis shot 80-74-75 to score 13-over.
FINAL STANDINGS
1.No. 1 Auburn -9
2. UNLV +1
3. New Mexico +7
4. No. 9 Virginia +10
T5. No. 4 Oklahoma +19
T5. No. 11 Florida +19
T5. No. 24 Pepperdine +19
T5. RV Texas A&M +19
9. USC +20
10. No. 12 Illinois +23
11. No. 22 San Diego State +29
12. No. 18 SMU +31
13. No. 16 Georgia Tech +32
14. Washington +44
15. RV Georgia +48
