Trojans Claim Title in Season Opener
YORKTOWN, Ind. – The 10th-ranked Taylor men's golf team held off a final round charge from its closest competitor to collect the team title in the Trojans' first tournament of the season.
Senior Nate Morris tallied a round of 2-under par 70 to lead the way for TU during Saturday's final round. The Trojans also counted a 73 from freshman Erik Fahlen while sophomore Javan Johnson tallied a 75 and freshman Noah Ross added a 76 as Taylor carded a team tally of 294 (+6) in the final round.
The Trojans entered the final round with an eight shot advantage over Holy Cross but the Saints quickly cut into the deficit with some early birdies. The Trojans answered with a handful of birdies during the closing stretch to pull ahead for a six shot win.
Taylor finished with a two-round total of 5-over par 581 (287-294), Holy Cross was next at 587 (295-292), and Wheaton and Asbury tied for third at 604.
Fahlen earned a spot on the All-Tournament team in his collegiate debut, finishing with a two-day total of 2-under par 142 (69-73) to claim third place on the individual leaderboard. Holy Cross senior Blake Vise rolled to the title at 7-under par (66-71) followed by Holy Cross's Camden Dal Corobbo at 141 (75-66).
Morris added a tie for sixth place at 146 (76-70) while Ross earned a top-10 finish in his collegiate debut with a tie for tenth place at 147 (72-75).
The Taylor reserve squad also played well led by Sam Yeager's tie for 12th place. A sophomore from Warsaw, Indiana, Yeager posted a career-low 71 in round one and added a 78 in round two to finish at 149.
Freshman Drew Pickering tallied a career-low round of even par 72 during round two to climb to a tie for 12th place at 147 (77-72).
Sophomore Jason Iler finished tied for 21st at 152 (71-81), junior Brady Roberts fired 157 (78-79) for a tie for 35th place, while sophomore Daylen Tidd (83-75) and junior Keegan White (79-79) tied for 39th place at 158. Senior Noah Miller fired 81-84 for a tie for 51st place.
The Trojans return to action on Monday and Tuesday when Taylor tees it up at TPC Southwind in Memphis, Tennessee, home of the PGA Tour's Fedex-St. Jude Classic, for the NAIA Memphis Shootout.