Senior Yuxin Lin became the third-straight Gator to win a title this season.
The Florida men’s golf team traveled to Las Vegas, Nevada, for the Southern Highlands Collegiate. The tournament began Sunday and wrapped up Tuesday.
Lin shined in his performance during the tournament. On day one, he tied for the solo lead with Pepperdine graduate student Sam Choi and North Carolina senior Austin Greaser. He matched his career low with an eight-under-par 72 in round one.
Fifth-year Giovanni Manzoni posted UF’s second-best round with a one-under-par 72. This made his first start in the lineup, and he tied for 21st place.
The team was tied for third with Texas on the first day at five-under-par.
In round two, Lin shot his second straight bogey-free round at two-under-par 72. It marked his sixth-straight low round and second bogey-free round of the season; he had only one bogey through the first 36 holes. The senior remained tied with Greaser as he went into round three.
Senior John Dubois had a strong performance in round two as well. He improved seven shots from round one and finished with a two-over-par as he tied for 79th with his teammate, senior Fred Biondi.
Senior Ricky Castillo jumped 29 spots to 16th place on day two. He shot a three-under-par 72 The senior has only had seven total bogeys in his last 90 holes.
Junior Quentin Debove competed as an individual and was another Gator who went under par on day two. He hit a double bogey and bogey to start but made four birdies over his next 16 holes to score a one-under-par 72. The performance moved the junior into the top 25.
Manzoni was two shots behind Debove and tied for 38th.
The Gators shot an even-par 288, tying them for sixth at five-under overall. They were one stroke back from Oklahoma, which ended in fifth. North Carolina kept a four-stroke lead at 20-under in first place.
In the final round, Lin secured his first collegiate victory. The senior finished with a 13-under-par 67, a 54-hole score, to win the tournament and earn an exemption into the Shriners Children's Open, which is scheduled for Oct. 12-15 at TPC Summerlin in Las Vegas.
The solo victory marks the third-straight tournament a Gator won medalist honors. The Gators took home sixth this time around.
Florida will wrap up its regular season at the National Invitational Tournament March 17-18 then have its finale at the Augusta Haskins Award Invitational April 1-2. The postseason will start April 19 at the Southeastern Conference Championship.
Contact Madilyn Destefano at mdestefano@alligator.org. Follow her on Twitter @DestefanoMadi.
