Wake Forest University
Rod Myers Invitational
Deacs Win Third Straight Rod Myers Invitational Title
9/17/2017 12:00:00 AM | Men's Golf
By Wake Forest Athletic Communications (@WakeMGolf)
DURHAM, N.C. – For the third consecutive season, the Wake Forest men's golf team opened the season with a victory at the Rod Myers Invitational. The Demon Deacons shot 11-under on the final day at the Duke University Golf Club to finish at 29-under and post a seven-shot win over the runner-up host Blue Devils.
The victory marks the first time since 1978-80 that the Demon Deacons have won an event three straight seasons, when they won three straight ACC Championships.
"It is always great to start off the year with a victory," said head coach Jerry Haas. "We have come over here three years in a row and started the year well here. This course is a little like Bermuda Run and it is one of our favorite courses to play. We talked last night that we needed to go out and have one of the better rounds of the day because we figured there would be teams shoot 10, 12 or 15-under today. I was right, as Duke had a fantastic day, but we were able to keep them at bay."
Will Zalatoris captured his fourth career individual title, sharing medalist honors with his Walker Cup teammate Norman Xiong of Oregon. Zalatoris shot a final round 68 to finish the event at 12-under. It was his second title and third top-two finish at the event, winning the title in 2015 and finishing as runner-up last fall.
Cameron Young posted his fourth career top-five finish, shooting a team-best 67 on Sunday to finish at 8-under, tied for fourth place. Eric Bae and Marco Steyn also shot under par on Sunday, each posting a final round 71. Bae finished T-15th at 2-under, while Steyn finished his collegiate debut at 5-over. Paul McBride also had a top-20 finish, shooting a final round 73 to finish T-18 at 1-under.
"Wonderful play by Will this week to win his second title here," said Haas. "We got a great contribution from everyone. Paul had a bad first round, but bounced back with a 66 in the afternoon. Marco and Eric got us off to a great start today, both shooting under par. Cameron was my MVP this week. He played really well. He has matured and he is starting to look like the player that I know he wants to be."
Two other Demon Deacons made their collegiate debuts playing as individuals. Parker Gillam finished T-29 at 4-over, while Charlie Kennerly finished at 16-over.
The Demon Deacons return to action Sept. 25-26 with the Graeme McDowell Shoal Creek Invitational in Alabama.
Players Mentioned
