The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
No. 1 Alabama
Texas captures third NCAA Men's Golf Championship
06.03.2012 | Men's Golf
June 3, 2012
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PACIFIC PALISADES, Calif. -- Texas senior All-American Dylan Frittelli sunk a dramatic 30-foot putt on the 18th green to clinch a 3-2 win over Alabama and claim the Longhorns' third national title in the match play final of the 2012 NCAA Men's Golf Championships at Riviera C.C. in Pacific Palisades, Calif., on Sunday.
Texas won its first men's golf national crown since back-to-back wins in 1971-72 thanks to a comeback victory after the Longhorns went down 2-0. The win today was also the Longhorns' eighth this season.
The University of Texas captures its 46th all-time NCAA Championship team title and 49th overall National Championship. It marks UT's first NCAA team title since Men's Swimming and Diving claimed its crown in March 2010.
The Crimson Tide, which finished first in the 54-hole stroke play tournament to qualify as the No. 1-seed in the eight-team match play field earlier this week, trailed much of the final round, save for its final pairing.
Alabama senior Hunter Hamrick quickly went out to a six-hole lead through nine holes against Texas junior Julio Vegas, but the rest of his Alabama teammates were in tight matches.
That was the case for the first pairing that became official. Alabama sophomore Bobby Wyatt had just gone down by a hole after 16 to Texas sophomore Toni Hakula, but eagled 17 and then birdied 18 to give Alabama a 1-0 lead. Shortly after, Hamrick finalized his own win, closing down Vegas, 6 & 5, with a par on 13.
Meanwhile, in the third pairing of Alabama junior Scott Strohmeyer and Texas junior Cody Gribble, the action ended on 17. Gribble never trailed throughout the match and his birdie on 17 gave him a 2 & 1 win and cut the Tide's lead in half.
The marquee matchup of two of the best amateurs in the country in freshmen Justin Thomas of Alabama and Jordan Spieth of Texas had been one-sided much of the day and Spieth had taken a 3-hole lead on 15.
Thus, all attention turned to the second pairing of Alabama sophomore Cory Whitsett and Texas' Frittelli. Whitsett birdied the par-5 17th hole to tie the match and send fans flocking to 18.
By the time Whitsett and Frittelli were on the 18th green, Spieth had wrapped up his win over Thomas, 3 & 2.
Back on 18, Whitsett whiffed on his chip from the fringe before sending his second attempt to within a makeable bogey distance. But Frittelli, needing only a two-put, erased any doubt by sinking his championship-clinching putt from the edge of the green.
FINAL RESULTS (in order of finish)
Texas 3, Alabama 2
Bobby Wyatt (ALA) def. Toni Hakula (TEX), 1 Up
Hunter Hamrick (ALA) def. Julio Vegas (TEX), 6 & 5
Cody Gribble (TEX) def. Scott Strohmeyer (ALA), 2 & 1
Jordan Spieth (TEX) def. Justin Thomas (ALA), 3 & 2
Dylan Frittelli (TEX) def. Cory Whitsett (ALA), 1 Up
POST-CHAMPIONSHIP QUOTES
Texas Head Coach John Fields
On Sunday's championship: It came down to the last hole between two great players, and Dylan made a fantastic putt.
On winning a national championship at Texas: We have a lot of pressure with everything we do. We are a good team, so we expect more from ourselves. This was a special group. These guys had a lot of pressure and handled it well.
On comments from his colleagues: I heard from Mack Brown last night. He didn't win his last one against Alabama, so he told us to go win today.
Texas senior Dylan Frittelli
On his emotion at the 18th green: I was sure he was going to make the chip. To get my mind right I had to pretend it was going in. I wanted to make the putt no matter what. When I saw him miss, it made it a little easier on me, but I still wanted to put it in.
On Texas Head Coach John Fields: This win validates everything Coach Fields has done. He is a wonderful man, and if I would have left here after four years without a national championship, it would not have done justice to everything he has done for me.
On maintaining his focus down the stretch: I just tried to stay strong. When I was walking down the fairway on 18 I kept my head down and tried to visualize the putt going in.
On winning a national championship: I was really sick after the Big 12 Championships. Coach took it badly. This does not make it right but it is definitely something better.
Texas freshman Jordan Spieth
On winning a national championship: A lot is expected of us at Texas. When you commit to play any sport at Texas, you are committing to do everything you can to win a Championship.
On Texas Head Coach John Fields: I couldn't ask for a better coaching staff. Today was so perfect. It still seems surreal.
Alabama Head Coach Jay Seawell
On Cory Whitsett: We wouldn't be here without him. He didn't do anything wrong. Dylan played really well.
On taking solace from the way they played: Not right now. It seemed like we were down all day and we battled back, but it is still hard to lose.
Alabama sophomore Cory Whitsett
On his final hole: I am not as mad at that shot as the shots that led up to it. You can't be in that position. I didn't hit a good tee shot. Dylan played great and I didn't take advantage of some opportunities.
