The University of Mississippi Athletics
Ole Miss
Gator Invitational
Jonathan Randolph Wins Gator Invitational
2/14/2010 | Men's Golf
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Ole Miss junior golfer Jonathan Randolph captured his second career tournament title and second of the year, shooting a final round 67 to win the Gator Invitational by one Sunday at the Mark Bostick Golf Course.
Randolph finished with a 71-72-67--210 at the par 70 course to edge LSU's Andrew Loupe (211) by one. Randolph came into the final round just two back, and finished with five birdies.
A native of Brandon, Miss., Randolph posted his seventh round in the 60s this year and 10th round at or under par.
"Joe (David) and I were both two back after Saturday. I figured both of us had a good shot (to win)," Randolph said. "We all showed a lot of rust in our games yesterday. I gave myself a lot of looks, but the putts just weren't going in. I knew if I got off to a good start today I would have a chance. I made some putts today that weren't going in yesterday. I grinded it out today and made a few big putts. Fortunately, it was enough to take home the trophy."
Last Thursday, Randolph was named to the Ben Hogan Award Watch list. The Ben Hogan Award is handed out at the end of the season to the top college golfer. Randolph said he didn't feel any added pressure by being named to the list.
"I've talked to enough people, and they told me how to handle it. Mentally, you just have to remember how you got there and why you're on the list. I am just going to keep doing what I've been doing, and so far it's worked out."
The Rebels finished 10th as a team with a 299-289-298--886. Sophomore Joe David, who like Randolph, was just two back after two rounds, shot 76 to finish tied for 23rd with a 72-71-76--219.
"We are proud of Jonathan. It is a great win for him," head coach Ernest Ross said. "This is a very prestigious event with a lot of great past champions.
"The rest of our team struggled today. The conditions were much better, but most of our team didn't take advantage. We were rusty. We didn't practice much this week due to weather. Our flights got cancelled, and we had to drive 12 hours to get here. Our practice round got rained out. These were some tough breaks, but it had no bearing on today. It just wasn't a good day for our team finish."
Host Florida ran away with the tournament, shooting consecutive 279s in the final two rounds to win by 18 (841) over in-state rival Florida State (859). Chattanooga finished third at 869 and Lamar was fourth at 870.
Ole Miss will be back in action Feb. 21-23 at the Mobile Bay Intercollegiate hosted by South Alabama.
GATOR INVITATIONAL -- GAINESVILLE, Fla.
TEAM STANDINGS
1. Florida 283-279-279--841
2. Florida State 283-291-285--859
3. Chattanooga 282-289-298--869
4. Lamar 295-294-281--870
T5. Duke 300-288-284--872
T5. LSU 297-297-278--872
7. North Florida 296-291-286--873
8. UCF 296-292-291--879
9. Georgia Southern 301-291-291--883
10. OLE MISS 299-289-298--886
11. UAB 297-294-299--890
12. Coastal Carolina 300-304-294--898
13. Mississippi State 302-303-295--900
14. Georgia State 300-304-297--901
OLE MISS INDIVIDUALS
1. Jonathan Randolph 71-72-67--210
T23. Joe David 72-71-76--219
66. Billy Brozovich 83-73-76--232
T67. Pete Kellermann 80-73-80--233
70. Tom Brown 76-80-79--235
