Wednesday, May 16
Bryan, Texas (Traditions Club)
All Day
Mississippi State
vs
NCAA Regionals
State Caps Season With Superb NCAA Regional Final Round
May 16, 2018 | Men's Golf
BRYAN, Texas – Mississippi State will look to next season with great optimism after concluding 2017-18 with a strong final round at the NCAA Bryan Regional on Wednesday.
The Bulldogs wrapped the first season under Dusty Smith and their first regional appearance since 2013-14 with a 2-under-par 285, their best round of the three days.
"I thought we responded like champions today," MSU men's golf coach Dusty Smith said. "Everyone had a part in today's round."
Seniors Taylor Bibbs and Taylor Grant finished their collegiate careers with strong outings in the final round. Bibbs shot a 2-under 70, which tied a team best, and Grant carded a 74 at the Par-72, 7,146-yard Traditions Club.
Sophomore Garrett Johnson mirrored Bibbs' round with a 70 of his own, including three-consecutive birdies on the front nine, MSU's final nine holes of the day.
Johnson had the best finish for the tournament with a share for 25th and a 3-over-par total for the three days. Bibbs was right behind him, shooting 4-over for a tie for 28th.
Peng Pichaikool also had a strong final round, playing even- par golf on Wednesday. He and Grant finished up the Regional tied for 40th at 7-over.
Freshman Cameron Clarke shot a 3-over 75 in the final round and 13-over for the week.
The Golf Dawgs fell just short of advancing to the NCAA Men's Golf Championships, but they vaulted up the leaderboard into eighth at 21-over-par following the strong final-round performance.
The first NCAA regional appearance since 2013-14 highlighted a stellar inaugural season under Smith that saw the Bulldogs collect six Top 5 finishes, including four straight to close the regular season. In March, State recorded the third-best finish in program history wit an 30-under 834 at the Bighorn Invitational.
For more information on the Bulldogs, follow the program on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram by searching @HailStateMG.
MSU men's golf coach Dusty Smith:
"Last night we talked as a team about being more competitive out there and not giving in to anything. I thought we responded like champions today. It was the first time all week that we had all five guys in the round the entire time. I'm proud of the character and toughness this team showed, not only this week, but the entire season. Taylor Bibbs finished his college career on a high note by giving us an under-par score. Garrett hung tough all day and finished really well on his last nine. Peng was battling an injury all week and finished his last nine in 3-under-par. Cam and Taylor Grant battled all day long. Everyone had a part in today's round. Taylor Bibbs, Taylor Grant and Jacob Ross will be missed. These three seniors have given everything to this program for the past four years. I can't say enough about them and the impact they had on our team. The foundation has been laid and we need to make sure we stay hungry and humble this summer as we prepare for another season come August."
Bryan Regional
1. Texas A&M (279+279+279=837, -27)
2. Clemson (283+276+287=846, -18)
3. Baylor (282+288+287=857, -7)
4. UCLA (288+288+290=866, +2)
5. Kentucky (298+291+285=874, +10)
6. Ole Miss (294+285+298=877, +13)
7. South Carolina (293+294+295=882, +18)
8. Mississippi State (300+299+286=885, +21)
9. UNCW (306+290+290=886, +22)
10. Northern Colorado (306+287+301=894, +30)
11. Georgia (303+302+292=897, +33)
12. Bradley (297+303+301=901, +37)
13. San Francisco (304+300+300=904, +40)
MSU Players
T25. Garrett Johnson (73+76+70=219, +3)
T28. Taylor Bibbs (75+75+70=220, +4)
T40. Peng Pichaikool (76+75+72=223, +7)
T40. Taylor Grant (76+73+74=223, +7)
T63. Cameron Clarke (78+76+75=229, +13)
The Bulldogs wrapped the first season under Dusty Smith and their first regional appearance since 2013-14 with a 2-under-par 285, their best round of the three days.
"I thought we responded like champions today," MSU men's golf coach Dusty Smith said. "Everyone had a part in today's round."
Seniors Taylor Bibbs and Taylor Grant finished their collegiate careers with strong outings in the final round. Bibbs shot a 2-under 70, which tied a team best, and Grant carded a 74 at the Par-72, 7,146-yard Traditions Club.
Sophomore Garrett Johnson mirrored Bibbs' round with a 70 of his own, including three-consecutive birdies on the front nine, MSU's final nine holes of the day.
Johnson had the best finish for the tournament with a share for 25th and a 3-over-par total for the three days. Bibbs was right behind him, shooting 4-over for a tie for 28th.
Peng Pichaikool also had a strong final round, playing even- par golf on Wednesday. He and Grant finished up the Regional tied for 40th at 7-over.
Freshman Cameron Clarke shot a 3-over 75 in the final round and 13-over for the week.
The Golf Dawgs fell just short of advancing to the NCAA Men's Golf Championships, but they vaulted up the leaderboard into eighth at 21-over-par following the strong final-round performance.
The first NCAA regional appearance since 2013-14 highlighted a stellar inaugural season under Smith that saw the Bulldogs collect six Top 5 finishes, including four straight to close the regular season. In March, State recorded the third-best finish in program history wit an 30-under 834 at the Bighorn Invitational.
For more information on the Bulldogs, follow the program on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram by searching @HailStateMG.
MSU men's golf coach Dusty Smith:
"Last night we talked as a team about being more competitive out there and not giving in to anything. I thought we responded like champions today. It was the first time all week that we had all five guys in the round the entire time. I'm proud of the character and toughness this team showed, not only this week, but the entire season. Taylor Bibbs finished his college career on a high note by giving us an under-par score. Garrett hung tough all day and finished really well on his last nine. Peng was battling an injury all week and finished his last nine in 3-under-par. Cam and Taylor Grant battled all day long. Everyone had a part in today's round. Taylor Bibbs, Taylor Grant and Jacob Ross will be missed. These three seniors have given everything to this program for the past four years. I can't say enough about them and the impact they had on our team. The foundation has been laid and we need to make sure we stay hungry and humble this summer as we prepare for another season come August."
Bryan Regional
1. Texas A&M (279+279+279=837, -27)
2. Clemson (283+276+287=846, -18)
3. Baylor (282+288+287=857, -7)
4. UCLA (288+288+290=866, +2)
5. Kentucky (298+291+285=874, +10)
6. Ole Miss (294+285+298=877, +13)
7. South Carolina (293+294+295=882, +18)
8. Mississippi State (300+299+286=885, +21)
9. UNCW (306+290+290=886, +22)
10. Northern Colorado (306+287+301=894, +30)
11. Georgia (303+302+292=897, +33)
12. Bradley (297+303+301=901, +37)
13. San Francisco (304+300+300=904, +40)
MSU Players
T25. Garrett Johnson (73+76+70=219, +3)
T28. Taylor Bibbs (75+75+70=220, +4)
T40. Peng Pichaikool (76+75+72=223, +7)
T40. Taylor Grant (76+73+74=223, +7)
T63. Cameron Clarke (78+76+75=229, +13)
Players Mentioned
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/ Men's Golf
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