Dutkowski's 67 Sparks Trojans' Final Round Charge
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Senior Alec Dutkowski posted a 4-under par 67 to help the eighth-ranked Taylor men's golf team post the lowest team score of the day during the final round of the NAIA Memphis Shootout on Tuesday.
Dutkowski finished in a tie for first place with a 54-hole total of 6-under par 213 after posting rounds of 70-70-67 on the 6,870, par-71 layout of TPC Southwind. The All-American carded birdies at the par-5 third, par-5 fifth, par-4 ninth, and par-4 15th before rolling in an 8-footer for eagle on the par-5 16th during his final round charge.
Dutkowski led the 69-player field with 14 birdies while also leading the field in par-5 scoring at 7-under par. The Wakarusa, Indiana native was defeated in a two-hole playoff for the tournament title by Tyler Pearson from IU East after Pearson carded a birdie on the second playoff hole.
Dutkowski's round helped TU to the best team score of the final round as the Trojans fired a 7-over par 291. In addition to Dutkowksi's 67 the Trojans also counted a 74 from freshman Lucas Beck and a pair of 75's from senior Jeremy Ray and sophomore Brady Roberts. Junior Nate Morris added a 78 for TU during the final round.
Roberts finished the tournament tied for second in par-3 scoring at 1-under par while Beck finished tied for second in par-5 scoring at 5-under par.
The Trojans entered the final round of play in fourth place but climbed two spots on the leaderboard to finish in second in the 13-team field, six shots behind (RV) William Carey in the team standings.
Taylor improved its team score in each round, posting a three-round total of 883 (297-295-291) and finished ahead of a handful of teams appearing in the NAIA Coaches Preseason Top-25 Poll, including No. 21 William Penn (900), No. 24 Lindsey Wilson (911), No. 25 Holy Cross (913), and receiving votes Columbia College (887).
The Trojans return to action on September 21-22 when TU travels to Blackthorn Golf Club in South Bend, Indiana for the Battle at Blackthorn.