The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
No. 7 Oregon
Men's Golf advances to NCAA Championship title match
06.02.2012 | Men's Golf
June 2, 2012
PACIFIC PALISADES, Calif. -- Junior Julio Vegas birdied each of Riviera Country Club's final three holes on Saturday afternoon to punch Texas' ticket to the NCAA Men's Golf Championship match. Third-seeded Texas defeated seventh-seeded Oregon 3-2, setting up Sunday's championship match against No. 1-seed Alabama.
In a back-and-forth matchup, Texas took a 2-0 lead thanks to a 3 & 1 win from sophomore Toni Hakula over Oregon's Robbie Ziegler and Cody Gribble's 2 & 1 victory over the Ducks' Jonathan Woo. Hakula trailed early but claimed the lead for good on the seventh hole. Gribble was tied with Woo through 15 holes but back-to-back birdies on 16 and 17 clinched the win.
Oregon's Daniel Miernicki was either tied with or trailed Texas' Dylan Frittelli through 16 holes before sinking a 30-footer for eagle on 17, taking the wind out of Fritelli's birdie. Miernicki clinched the 2 Up win with a 3-foot birdie putt on 18.
By the time Miernicki's final putt hit the bottom of the cup, Vegas had reclaimed the lead with a birdie putt on 17 to go 1 Up over Oregon's Andrew Vijarro. He then sent his second shot on 18 to within eight feet of the pin. Vijarro, from about 25 feet, next missed a long birdie attempt from the fringe while Vegas punched in his birdie putt for the clinching 2 Up win.
Behind them on 18, Oregon's Eugene Wong was clinging to a one-hole lead over Texas freshman Jordan Spieth, but the drama was stopped once Vegas clinched the match point.
Sunday's match features the No. 1 and No. 2 teams in the nation for the first time since the NCAA began the match-play championship format in 2009.
A championship crown would mark the third in Texas history. The Longhorns won back-to-back NCAA Championships in 1971 and 1972.
2012 NCAA Championship Semifinal Results
Riviera Country Club
Texas vs. Oregon (in order of finish) | 3-2
Toni Hakula def. Robbie Ziegler - 3 & 1
Cody Gribble def. Jonathan Woo - 2 & 1
Daniel Miernicki def. Dylan Frittelli - 2 Up
Julio Vegas def. Andrew Vijarro - 2 Up
Eugene Wong def. Jordan Spieth - 1 Up
Final Pairings (Central time, Alabama player v. Texas player)
12 p.m. - Bobby Wyatt vs. Toni Hakula
12:09 p.m. - Cory Whitsett vs. Dylan Frittelli
12:18 p.m. - Scott Strohmeyer vs. Cody Gribble
12:27 p.m. - Justin Thomas vs. Jordan Spieth
12:36 p.m. - Hunter Hamrick vs. Julio Vegas
POST-MATCH COMMENTS
Texas Head Coach John Fields
On defeating Oregon in the semifinal: Right now, we've got a chance to play for a national championship against Alabama. That's reminiscent of a few years ago - not our sport, but another one. I'm excited about it, and I know our kids are as well.
On the key to match play success: When you get to this level, you're playing the best teams in the country. You have to put your best foot forward every hole, every shot. You have to be patient.
Junior Julio Vegas
On composing his emotions: I was really excited the whole day. But I was trying to keep calm, because that's when I play my best. That's what I did. At the end, I did give a fist pump.
On winning his final three holes: I knew I was putting great, and I just stayed patient the whole way. I had to make a 20-footer on 16, then I made a three-footer on 17 and then on 18, it was another 20-footer.
On playing No. 18 with a 1-up lead: I was playing one shot at a time. I tried to hit the fairway, tried to hit the green and then make the putt.
On playing for the national championship: That was the goal. We just wanted a chance to play for the trophy. It's going to be a great match. We're ready. We have a great team, and I think it will be fun.
Sophomore Toni Hakula
On winning 3 & 1: I got down early when I missed a short putt on No. 2 to go 1-down. It was early in the day, so I didn't have anything to worry about. I was 3-up after No. 11, and I felt pretty comfortable. I was fortunate to make some good putts.
On watching his teammates finish: I was really anxious and nervous. It was crazy. I was done after No. 17, so I was able to step back and watch the guys. I saw them making putts and making saves. It was close and exciting all the way. Julio - what a great finish. It was incredible.
Junior Cody Gribble
On the emotions of the day: Toni gave us a really big relief, knowing we had one match (win). All day, there were roars everywhere. It was hard to tell if it was for us, for Oregon or what was going to happen.
