Middle Tennessee grabbed a top 10 finish at the very challenging Puerto Rico Classic by coming in eighth among a 15-team field that included 11 top 50 ranked programs. The Blue Raiders shot 292 in the final round on the Rio Mar River Course (6,902 yards, par 72) for an 870 total.
Clemson won the event with a 19-under par, 845 total followed by Georgia’s 856.
For the week, MT led the field in par 3 scoring at 6-over and was eighth in par 5 scoring at 5-under. The team was second with 169 total pars.
“We did not have our best day in round three but it was a very solid week overall,” said Head Coach Brennan Webb. “To finish in the top eight of one of the strongest fields of the year and not playing our best truly shows how far we have come.
“I am very proud of all the guys for their effort this week. I think they are all leaving here knowing that they belong with the top teams in the country.”
Freshman Chip Thomas and Joey Savoie led the Blue Raiders during the final round as both shot a 1-under par 71. Thomas had three birdies on the day and finished with a career-best 213 total (3-under par) to tie for seventh overall. Thomas, who tied Savoie for second among all competitors in par three scoring, was a combined 5-under par on the par 3s and par 5s during the week.
Savoie tied for 12th overall with a 215 total but it was his toughness on Tuesday that allowed the Blue Raiders a strong finish. The senior was extremely sick Monday night and Tuesday morning but managed to get through the final round.
“Joey had a special round of golf Tuesday after battling a severe case of the flu,” said Webb. “It was one of the most incredible rounds I have seen as a coach.”
Freshman Ilari Saulo registered a 76 in the final round to finish with a 221 total. Saulo tied for 36th.
Sophomore Marcus Byrd tied for 40th after carding a 75 on the final day. Byrd had a 222 total.
Junior Hoyeong Kim, who led the team with 36 pars, tied for 69th (232) after turning in a 75 on Tuesday.
The Blue Raiders will have off until heading to San Diego March 13 and 14 for the Lamkin Grips SD Classic.
