The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
Morris Williams Intercollegiate
Men's Golf trio ties for medalist honors as No. 1 Longhorns win second-straight Morris Williams Intercollegiate
03.17.2012 | Men's Golf
March 17, 2012
AUSTIN, Texas -- The University of Texas Men's Golf Team (281-280-282=843) lived up to its No. 1 ranking as three players - senior Dylan Frittelli (70-70-68=208), freshman Jordan Spieth (70-69-69=208), and junior Julio Vegas (70-69-69=208) - all tied for first place at the conclusion of the 46th annual Morris Williams Intercollegiate on Saturday afternoon. Texas elected not to hold a playoff and instead the three will share the medalist trophy.
The win marks Texas' second-consecutive and 14th overall Morris Williams Intercollegiate title. Texas led throughout all three rounds held Friday and Saturday at The University of Texas Golf Club. The Longhorns (281-280-282=843, -9) were the only team to break par and finished 16 strokes ahead of second place New Mexico (285-282-292=859).
Frittelli, the second-ranked collegiate individual in the nation, played his best golf throughout the third and final round. The senior birdied five times and only bogeyed twice en route to a 3-under finish.
Vegas nearly birdied the 18th hole to secure a sole first place victory, but ended up even on the hole. The 24th-ranked junior carded 2-under scores in both the second and third rounds.
Top-ranked Spieth carded a thrilling birdie on the 18th hole to secure his share of the title. With a roaring gallery awaiting his finish, Spieth holed out after his approach shot hit the flag stick and later fell in for birdie when the flag was removed on the green for the remaining players in the group.
Joining the top-five was senior Alex Moon (71-68-70=209), who birdied five or more times in each round en route to a 4-under 54-hole score. Moon finished in fourth place, one stroke behind his three teammates who tied for first place. Moon competed in the tournament as an individual, and therefore his score did not factor into UT's victory.
Sophomore Toni Hakula (71-72-76=219), ranked 43rd in the nation, finished the tournament with eight birdies, and tied for 20th. In his fifth start for the Longhorns, freshman Kramer Hickok (74-72-85=231) finished tied for 55th.
Junior Cody Gribble (71-69-75=215) and senior Adam Wennerstrom (71-73-76=220) finished 12th and tied for 26th, respectively. Both Gibble and Wennerstrom competed in the event as individuals.
The Longhorns return to action when they travel to Augusta, Ga., on March 31 and April 1, 2012 for the Augusta State Invitational.
Post-tournament quotes
Texas Head Coach John Fields
On the outcome of the tournament: There was some drama this week. The golf course really showed up today. I was really proud of our guys for shooting on the bar out there. We had some good finishes by a lot of guys. Jordan shot the chip out there on 18, which was exciting. Julio almost made his chip, which was exciting. I am really happen for Jordan, Julio, and Dylan - the tri-medalists. It was unusual but it is really cool that they get a win like that and the team gets a win. It is exciting for all of us.
On electing to forego a playoff: We have got three guys that won a golf tournament, that is how I am going to look at it. We are going to take all the positive that we can get. We are going to need those as we get into the end of the season and head into post season.
On being the top-ranked team in the nation: Golf, you are going to have some difficult events and you are going to have some times when it just does not roll your way; this time it rolled our way. I was really pleased. It would be nice to win at every golf tournament we ever play in but that is not reality. We needed to re-group; we did. We can enjoy this for the next day or so then start preparing for the next one
On whether he was surprised with Speith shooting the chip on the 18th hole: He has been doing that for a long time and I think he will be doing that throughout his career. He is a great player. A great young man and he brings a lot to the team. Julio is the same way. I am excited for Alex Moon, finishing fourth as an individual but it was exciting for Jordan to put a little savvy in there.
On Jordan and Dylan coming out to prove they are deserving of No.1 and No.2: They are good players. I am really excited for them. They have not separated from the team but their body of work speaks well for everything that they will go through the next few weeks. We want to really close out this season so we need them to keep getting better, we need the rest of the team to keep getting better and we can do it.
Senior Dylan Frittelli
On the outcome of the tournament: That was a crazy finish; having Jordan chip that in was amazing then having Julio coming in ready steady made the tournament definitely exciting. It was a huge confidence boost; having a three-way tie for first with the three tough players on the team is a great way to run into the post season. It was nice pat on the back. I am really happy to be here right now.
On the feeling of the team being back on top: It feels great. We knew coming in that we would have an expectation to win but we won with fine style shots on the final day. It is good to be back on that train and hopefully we can win a few more this season.
On whether there was an advantage relating to the win: It took a lot of work, it was not the advantage of being the home course because we do not see the course like this too often; the pens are tucked behind bunkers of water and the greens are really fast. It was something that was toned up so that we would see something similar to Big 12 and the National Championship. It was made to be a tough test.
On whether he would have liked to have a threeway play off: It would be fun but there would be no reason for it. The ranking system gives the same point system to everyone. This win is going to take up a little more space on the trophy but I am sure coach can afford to put three names on there.
On the crowd: There were tons of people out here. We have built up a great friendship with the members here, I know there are at least 50 members here today. And then there are other teams' family and friends. It was very much so like a National Championship with tons of people.
On whether he believes Jordan and himself proved their ranking as No.1 and No.2: Yeah, definitely. We had a pretty straightforward line up this time with no one setting out so we tried our best. Jordan had an amazing shot on the last hole and that is what he is known for. It is a good pat on the back.
On Jordan: I think he is just a competitor. He continues to step it up depending on the level, but regardless he is a great competitor wherever. It is something that some people are born with.
Freshman Jordan Spieth
On whether he amazes himself: That chip on 18, I do not know what happened. I just kind of went blank. I just wanted to give it a chance but I cannot put into words how I am feeling right now. I never expected that. I gave a celebration at the end and maybe looked a little weird doing it but emotions got the best of me.
I am extremely pleased that our team won. Then that the three of us won builds a lot of confidence for us.
Whether he knew that he needed a chip on the 18 to tie: Yeah, I knew. I had coach and JP (Volunteer Assistant Coach Jean-Paul Hebert) tell me throughout the back nine so I knew starting at 13 where every one was. About 17 I knew that Dylan was finished at five under, I missed a putt there and came in needing a birdie. I gave it a run and it just so happened to give me a break. I was very fortunate that it did not go in the water and that it found a hole.
On whether he feels that he has to go out and prove something: I would not say that I need to prove something. It is an honor to have the position of No.1 but first Texas is a team. If we can win the team championship that is want any of us want. So rankings are rankings and it is nice to be No.1 but I just go out and play my game and hope the team wins.
On being back on top: I was working on a lot of things on my swing this week with my instructor. I struggled a little yesterday but it went better today. It is definitely a confidence booster to come down the stretch and get what I needed to hit. I finished the back nine with -2 on this golf course is a confidence booster in itself. This is as tough of a course we are going to see so being able to play that well is big
Junior Julio Vegas
On the finish of Texas: It was awesome. We play this game for the drama, to have these kinds of moments. It is exciting.
On three guys finishing in first place: It is awesome. We did not get a playoff but the next tournament that we play together will determine who is the winner of this tournament
On the confidence of the team moving forward: It feels special. It builds confidence for the rest of the season and hopefully we can win more.
Final Team Standings
1. Texas - 281-280-282=843 (-9)
2. New Mexico - 285-282-292=859 (+7)
3. TCU - 284-289-293=866 (+14)
4. Texas A&M - 290-281-297=868 (+16)
5. North Texas - 287-289-294=870 (+18)
6. Texas Tech - 289-292-301=882 (+30)
7. Wake Forest - 300-290-295=885 (+33)
8. College of Charleston - 292-300-294=886 (+34)
9. Texas-Arlington - 298-295-304=897 (+45)
10. Sam Houston State - 300-292-316=908 (+56)
11. St. Johns - 301-301-307=909 (+57)
12. Utah - 305-320-323=948 (+96)
Final Individual Standings
T1. Dylan Frittelli, Texas - 70-70-68=208 (-5)
T1. Jordan Spieth, Texas - 70-69-69-=208 (-5)
T1. Julio Vegas, Texas - 70-69-69=208 (-5)
T4. Alex Moon *, Texas - 71-68-70=209 (-4)
T4. Cameron Peck, Texas A&M - 72-66-71=209 (-4)
6. Geoff Shaw*, Texas A&M - 65-71-75=211 (-2)
7. Shane Rogan, College of Charleston - 71-70-71=212 (-1)
T8. James Erkenbeck, New Mexico - 68-72-73=213 (+2)
T8. Victor Perez, New Mexico - 71-70-72=213 (+2)
T10. Lee Bedford, Wake Forest - 77-67-70=214 (+1)
T10. Johan deBeer, TCU - 68-72-74=214 (+1)
Final Additional Texas Player Standings
T20. Toni Hakula - 71-72-76=219 (+6)
T55. Kramer Hickok - 74-72-85=231 (+18)
Final Texas Individual Standings
T26. Adam Wennerstrom * - 71-73-76=220 (+7)
T65. Brett Spencer * - WD
*competing as individuals
