MARANA, Ariz. – Sophomore Franklin Huang posted his first collegiate win to steam the Stanford men’s golf team to the top of the podium Wednesday at the NCAA Tucson Regional Championships. The unit’s win advances Stanford to the NCAA Championships in Eugene, Oregon, after securing its second regional title in the past three seasons.
The top-seeded Cardinal blasted the field by going 31-under (274-284-275). Oregon (-17) was second, UAB (-7) third, Cal (-2) fourth and Wake Forest (-1) fifth. Stanford placed four performers in the top-10.
"I'm really excited that our team kept the momentum we have had over the past month," said Conrad Ray, Stanford's Knowles Family Director of Men's Golf. "Franklin was stellar this week along with many of his teammates who had chances to win today. The Gallery was very demanding, and doing well on a course like that creates confidence for what lies ahead at the NCAA Championships."
Huang (67-69-68) was 12-under through the 54-hole event, holding off teammate and second-place finisher Maverick McNealy (68-71-67) on the last circuit of play at the par-72 Gallery Golf Club. Huang’s only final-round blemish was a double-bogey on the par-5 ninth. He responded with birdies on holes 10 and 11, eventually going 4-under on the back nine.
"I had the putter going throughout the week, and it was nice to be able to go out and play knowing the rest of the guys would put up a good number," said Huang.
McNealy’s six-birdie, one-bogey outing put the final touches on his 10-under performance and third-straight top-10 finish.
Eight-place David Boote (69-72-71) was 4-under overall, one shot ahead of ninth-place Jeffrey Swegle (72-72-69).
Each of the top-10 performers combined for 12 rounds of even-par or better.
Brandon Wu’s 40th-place effort came after rounds of 70-75-77. He was 6-over.
The NCAA Championships will be hosted by Eugene Country Club from May 27-June 1.