May 28, 2017
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.; May 28, 2017 -- The Penn State men's golf team advanced four more positions during Sunday's third round at the NCAA Championships, shooting an 8-over 296 at Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove, Ill.
The Nittany Lions were the lowest seeded squad in the 30-team NCAA field, and the No. 48 overall seed heading into NCAA Regionals, and tied Lipscomb for 24th place to finish ahead of five teams seeded higher than Penn State. The Nittany Lions finished with a 27-over 891 over the three rounds.
All five of Penn State's NCAA Championship participants are slated to return for the 2017-18 season (one junior, two sophomores, two freshmen).
"Moving up on the last day was certainly our target," said head coach Greg Nye. "We didn't finish again today after moving forward significantly through 15 holes. The guys played hard today to the end. As their coach, that is what you want for each of them. I am certain and proud that they did just that."
Freshman Ryan Davis (Berkeley Heights, N.J.) led the Nittany Lions Sunday with his second consecutive one-under 71. Davis posted four birdies en route to his second consecutive 71 lead the team with a three-round score of two-over 218 (76-71-71).
Junior Cole Miller (New Tripoli, Pa.) had an eagle and three birdies on Sunday en route to a two-over 72. He posted a three-round score of three-over 219 (74-71-74). A second-team All-Big Ten selection, Miller was the medalist at the NCAA Washington Regional.
Freshman Alec Bard (New Hartford, N.Y.) had his best round of the Championship on Sunday, carding a two-over 74, which included four birdies. He finished with a three-day total of 230 (79-77-74).
Sophomore Charles Huntzinger (Duluth, Ga.) shot a 77 on Sunday. The first-team All-Big selection finished with a three-day total of 230 (75-78-77). Sophomore JD Hughes (Carlisle, Pa.) shot a 78 Sunday for a three-round total of seven-over 229 (76-75-78).
After Sunday's third round, the field was cut in half, from 30 teams to 15.
The Nittany Lions played in the NCAA Championships for the fifth time under head coach Greg Nye, with the last previous appearance coming in 2010.
Penn State, Illinois and Purdue were the Big Ten Conference teams participating in the 2017 NCAA Men's Golf Championships.
Penn State made its 23rd NCAA Championship regional appearance under Nye earlier this month, finishing fifth in the Washington Regional after being seeded ninth in the regional.