GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The Penn State men's golf team recorded its best round on the final day of the Gators Invitational with a 1-over 281 Sunday. The Nittany Lions moved up a spot to finish the tournament in a tie for third place with a 12-over 852 total (287+284+281).
"Right after the turn of nine holes, we a had a rough patch and slipped back to seventh or eighth place, and we just had to dig in and keep playing as hard as we could," said Penn State men's golf coach Greg Nye. "Even as late as the No. 17 green, we were back a few places and then things changed.
"While Ryan (Davis) was putting for eagle at 17, Lukas (Clark) had hit it to an inch at 18 nearly holing his long second approach. Lou (Olsakovsky) picked up a key par, then Alec (Bard) followed with a chip in for birdie from below right side of green. Ryan (Davis) hit his to the exact same place and remarkably holed his chip as well. It was amazing to watch it unfold as the guys just never quit."
Senior Ryan Davis (Berkeley Heights, N.J.) recorded three-straight birdies in his final round for a 2-under 68 on Sunday and 3-under 207 for the tournament, tying his career-low 54-hole score. His 207 on the Mark Bostick Golf Course tied him for fourth (71+68+68) as he moved up two spots on Sunday. Davis had 13 birdies on the weekend, the second-highest total among the 83 participants.
Birdying his final hole, senior Alec Bard (New Hartford, N.Y.) had his low round of the weekend with a 1-over 71 Sunday for a 5-over 215 (72+72+71), good for a tie for 24th. Junior Lou Olsakovsky (Upper St. Clair, Pa.) also finished in a tie for 24th with a 1-over 71 in the final round for a 5-over 215 (70+74+71).
Junior Lukas Clark (Holland, Pa.) was the third Nittany Lion with a 1-under 71 on Sunday, with two of his three birdies coming on his first and last holes. His 9-over 219 total (76+72+71) put him in a tie for 44th. Junior James McHugh (Rye, N.Y.) tied for 52nd with an 11-over 221 (74+72+75).
Host institution Florida maintained its lead from day one and won the event with a 12-under 828 (283-272-273). Gator Ricky Castillo won the individual title with a 13-under 197 (70-63-64).
The Nittany Lions compete next at the General Hackler Championship in Myrtle Beach, S.C., Monday-Tuesday, March 9-10.
Keep up to date with the latest information about the Nittany Lion Men's Golf team on Twitter at @PennStateMGolf and Facebook. Follow Coach Greg Nye on Instagram at @CoachNyePSU.
