AUSTIN, Texas – Freshman standout Gabriel Palacios shot a remarkable 3-under 68 to spearhead the University of Utah men’s golf team’s spirited rally into fourth place at the NCAA Austin Regional, securing their coveted spot at the NCAA Championships with an overall 2-under in the final round. This event was hosted at The University of Texas Golf Club in Austin, Texas, on a sunny Wednesday afternoon.
Utah’s men’s golf team, under the guidance of Coach Garrett Clegg, demonstrated their competitive prowess and determination, making this their second appearance at the NCAA Championships in the last three years. “Our freshmen really stepped up to the plate today, and I couldn’t be prouder of the entire team’s effort throughout this week,” an elated Clegg commented post-match.
“It’s simply fantastic to see their hard work pay off in such a rewarding manner. We’re all buzzing with excitement for the nationals and can’t wait to compete at the highest level.”
Marking their eighth entry into the NCAA Championships in the program’s history, the Utah Utes have not seen such a successful stint since the late 1940s, when they qualified for nationals three years in a row from 1948 to 1950. This achievement signals a revival of Utah’s golfing prominence on the national stage.
In a dramatic turn of events during the final round, Utah found themselves lagging behind, but stellar performances on the front nine by Palacios, Sergio Jimenez, and Braxton Watts saw them leapfrog past competitors Wake Forest and BYU. Their exceptional play eventually secured their place at the upcoming NCAA Men’s Golf Championships, scheduled to take place at Omni La Costa Resort & Spa in Carlsbad, Calif., starting May 22.
Palacios, who moved up more than 25 positions to tie for 12th, showcased his resilience and skill, bouncing back from an initial bogey with consistent play, including crucial birdies on the seventh and ninth holes, closing the tournament at 1-under. His performance was noteworthy, marking the second-lowest score of his freshman year.
Jimenez and Watts also made significant contributions to Utah’s success. Jimenez overcame early challenges to finish even-par for the day and 1-over for the tournament, clutch birdies on the front nine propelling him into a tie for 21st. Similarly, Watts demonstrated his mettle by ending the day even with a series of impressive plays, climbing nine spots to tie for 36th, finishing the tournament 4-over.
Rounding out the team’s performance, Javier Barcos and Brandon Robison made their own marks. Barcos concluded the tournament with the team’s third-best score at 2-over, and Robison showcased determination, finishing 1-over for the day and improving by 11 spots to tie for 50th.
Followers and supporters of Utah Golf can stay updated with the team’s progress, tournament schedules, and other news through their social media platforms on Twitter (@UtesGolf) and Instagram (@UtesGolf).