The University of Mississippi Athletics
Ole Miss
Mason Rudolph Championship
Randolph Wins Mason Rudolph
9/27/2009 | Men's Golf
FRANKLIN, Tenn. -- Ole Miss junior golfer Jonathan Randolph turned in an outstanding performance this weekend, firing an 11-under par 131 to capture medalist honors at the Mason Rudolph Championship Sunday. This marks the Brandon native's first career title at Ole Miss.
Randolph becomes the first Rebel to win an individual title since Senatobia native Kyle Ellis earned medalist honors at the USA Spring Classic in 2006. Randolph's previous best finish was a runner-up at the Reunion Intercollegiate in 2008.
Ranked No. 9 coming into the Mason Rudolph, Randolph made 11 birdies and no bogeys in both rounds at the Legends Club to finish five better than Vanderbilt's Ryan Halseden (136).
"It was relief to win one. I've been around the winner's circle a lot and played in the last group and watched guys win," Randolph said. "I've been talking with my coaches about, it and they said it was time. Everything was coming together for this to happen. I didn't make any bogeys. That's the first time it's happened. They say you golf your ball. I just kept it in play and tried to get up and down. I had to make a lot of par putts, but it worked out."
His parents made the trip up from Brandon to watch the final two rounds, however Saturday's round was cancelled due to heavy rain in the Nashville area. After watching him come so close near his hometown two years ago, this time he made it look easy with Friday's 7-under 64 and Sunday's 4-under 67.
"I am happy my parents got to see me win," Randolph said. "They were pumped to be there."
This marks Randolph's fifth career top-five finish. He tied for third at the Carpet Capital Collegiate to begin the year and owns a 68.40 stroke average. Randolph tied for the lowest two-round score (131) in school history and the third lowest single round score with his opening-round 64.
"Jonathan had a phenomenal weekend," head coach Ernest Ross said. "To win by five and not make any bogeys is outstanding. We are really proud of him. He has a great work ethic and pays great attention to detail when he practices."
After a stellar performance in the first round with a 275, the Rebels as a team shot 7-over 291 in the final round to finish in seventh place in the 17-team field. Greenville native Billy Brozovich earned his first career top 20 finish, tying for 16th with a 68-72--140.
MASON RUDOLPH CHAMPIONSHIP -- FRANKLIN, Tenn.
TEAM STANDINGS (FINAL)
T1. Middle Tennessee 283-273--556
T1. South Carolina 274-282--556
3. Arkansas State 272-285--557
4. Georgia Tech 275-284--559
5. Notre Dame 277-285--562
6. Vanderbilt 280-283--563
7. OLE MISS 275-291--566
8. Memphis 283-284--567
9. South Alabama 282-295--577
10. Davidson College 290-288--578
11. College of Charleston 285-295--580
12. Western Carolina 290-304--594
14. Belmont University 297-298--595
T15. Mississippi State 299-299--598
T15. Tennessee-Martin 303-295--598
17. Lipscomb 307-299--606
OLE MISS INDIVIDUALS
1. Jonathan Randolph 64-67--131
T16. Billy Brozovich 68-72--140
T46. Joe David 69-77--146
T67. Chris Mullhaupt 75-75--150
T75. Tom Brown 74-77--151
