The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
medalist honors at the Western Amateur.
08.02.2014 | Men's Golf
Rising sophomore Beau Hossler becomes the fifth Longhorn in program history to capture prestigious title.
CHICAGO -- Rising University of Texas sophomore Beau Hossler posted a 2-up victory against Xander Schauffele in the match play finals to capture the 112th Western Amateur Championship on Saturday afternoon at The Beverly Country Club. Hossler becomes the fifth UT player in program history to win the prestigious amateur event that dates back to 1899, joining Rik Massengale (1968), Ben Crenshaw (1973), Justin Leonard (1992 and 1993) and John Klauk (2002).
Trailing 3-down through 11 holes, Hossler won six of the last seven holes en route to his comeback win. He won three consecutive holes at 12, 13 and 14 to even the match. Schauffele, a rising senior at San Diego State, then birdied 15 to go 1-up. But Hossler answered by winning each of the last three holes for his 2-up victory.
Hossler, who earned Big 12 Conference Newcomer of the Year and PING All-America honorable mention accolades during his freshman season at Texas while leading the team with a 71.80 scoring average, has had an outstanding run this summer on the national amateur circuit. In the two weeks leading up to the Western Amateur, he tied for fourth at the Southern Amateur and tied for second at the Porter Cup. Prior to the Southern Amateur, he captured the Southern California Golf Association (SCGA) Amateur Championship for the second straight year on July 13 with a four-stroke victory. Hossler also finished as runner-up at the California State Amateur, ironically falling in the finals of match play to Schauffele on the 36th hole.
Several members of the Longhorns golf program had outstanding efforts at the Western Amateur during the past week. In addition to Hossler winning the championship, incoming freshmen Doug Ghim and Scottie Scheffler also advanced to the quarterfinal round of match play. Hossler's closest victory during the four rounds of match play came against his future collegiate teammate Ghim in the quarterfinal round, when Hossler claimed the win in a classic match on the 19th hole.
Ghim took home medalist honors during the four-round stroke play portion of the tournament, recording a 14-under-par 270 (69-63-73-65) to win by two strokes. In addition, rising sophomore Gavin Hall finished stroke play in a tie for 20th place, just missing the Sweet 16 cut for match play.
"I am thrilled and proud for Beau Hossler as he joins some of our Longhorn greats with his victory at the Western Amateur," said Texas head coach John Fields. "He had an All-American year for us as a freshman, and he has continued his upward trajectory this summer.
"We had incredible efforts by our Longhorns at the Western Am this year," Fields continued. "Gavin Hall shot a 68 in the final round of stroke play and barely missed qualifying for one of the 16 spots in match play. Beau, Doug Ghim and Scottie Scheffler all advanced to the quarterfinals of match play, and Doug earned medalist honors. We're very proud of all our guys."
