Sunday, March 8
Scottsdale, Ariz. (Outlaw GC)
All Day
Mississippi State
vs
Desert Mountain Intercollegiate
State, Johnson Sweep Runner-Up Performances at Desert Mountain
March 08, 2020 | Men's Golf
By Austin Coats, Graduate Assistant/Communications
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. –A year after achieving the program's first win since 2014 at the Desert Mountain Intercollegiate, Mississippi State men's golf returned to the Outlaw Course and secured a runner-up finish Sunday (March 8) behind a second-place performance from senior Garrett Johnson.
Mississippi State shot 2-over 866 total for the weekend, balanced by a first-round, 10-under 278. The Bulldogs were bested only by No. 10 Vanderbilt but out-played No. 36 Northwestern.
"Overall, I am pleased with this weekend," MSU men's golf coach Dusty Smith said. I thought we competed hard and had five guys battling it out. Garrett had a great tournament for us and did what senior leaders are supposed to do. Hunter gave us a solid round today that we really needed."
MSU held its ground in second place despite posting 7-over 295 in round three. However, only three teams scored even or better scores in round three.
"Today was a tough day with the conditions, but we have to do a better job of handling those conditions. It's easy to get ahead of yourself and to start focusing on the wrong things. We have a quick turnaround, so we will get some rest and work in over the next few days before heading to the Schenkel Invitational."
Johnson matched his 2019 score that won the event, shooting 9-under 207, but had to settle for a runner-up finish this year. The senior played a clean round with three birdies coming on holes one, 10 and 17 to card 69. Johnson has shot even or better in all six rounds played at Desert Mountain.
Johnson's best round of the weekend came on Saturday in the opening round as he fired 68 with the help of three birdies and an eagle on No. 10. Johnson followed with 70 in round two.
"I'm not really sure what it is about Desert Mountain, but I absolutely love it," Johnson said. "The golf course, the weather, everything about the week is so much fun. The golf course fits me very well, and it has some of the best greens we putt on all season. I putted well all week, and that was really key in scoring as well as I did."
Sophomore Ford Clegg finished tied-for-15th with a 5-over score. Clegg's best performance came in the opening round as he shot 2-under par.
Austin Fulton, Hunter Logan and Ben Nelson shot weekend-total scores of 224, 225 and 226, respectively. Nelson had a first round 68, and Fulton opened the tournament at even 72. Logan closed his weekend shooting 73 on Sunday.
"This week was a great week for us," Johnson said. "I felt like we had something to prove, and we did. We had some guys step up and play some really good rounds when we needed them. I'm proud of these guys, and I'm ready to get back and start preparing for the Schenkel."
MSU has a quick turnaround as it prepares for next weekend's competition at the Schenkel Invitational in Stateboro, Ga. The three-day tournament will start Friday (March 13).
For more information on the Bulldogs, follow the program on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram by searching @HailStateMG.
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. –A year after achieving the program's first win since 2014 at the Desert Mountain Intercollegiate, Mississippi State men's golf returned to the Outlaw Course and secured a runner-up finish Sunday (March 8) behind a second-place performance from senior Garrett Johnson.
Mississippi State shot 2-over 866 total for the weekend, balanced by a first-round, 10-under 278. The Bulldogs were bested only by No. 10 Vanderbilt but out-played No. 36 Northwestern.
"Overall, I am pleased with this weekend," MSU men's golf coach Dusty Smith said. I thought we competed hard and had five guys battling it out. Garrett had a great tournament for us and did what senior leaders are supposed to do. Hunter gave us a solid round today that we really needed."
MSU held its ground in second place despite posting 7-over 295 in round three. However, only three teams scored even or better scores in round three.
"Today was a tough day with the conditions, but we have to do a better job of handling those conditions. It's easy to get ahead of yourself and to start focusing on the wrong things. We have a quick turnaround, so we will get some rest and work in over the next few days before heading to the Schenkel Invitational."
Johnson matched his 2019 score that won the event, shooting 9-under 207, but had to settle for a runner-up finish this year. The senior played a clean round with three birdies coming on holes one, 10 and 17 to card 69. Johnson has shot even or better in all six rounds played at Desert Mountain.
Johnson's best round of the weekend came on Saturday in the opening round as he fired 68 with the help of three birdies and an eagle on No. 10. Johnson followed with 70 in round two.
"I'm not really sure what it is about Desert Mountain, but I absolutely love it," Johnson said. "The golf course, the weather, everything about the week is so much fun. The golf course fits me very well, and it has some of the best greens we putt on all season. I putted well all week, and that was really key in scoring as well as I did."
Sophomore Ford Clegg finished tied-for-15th with a 5-over score. Clegg's best performance came in the opening round as he shot 2-under par.
Austin Fulton, Hunter Logan and Ben Nelson shot weekend-total scores of 224, 225 and 226, respectively. Nelson had a first round 68, and Fulton opened the tournament at even 72. Logan closed his weekend shooting 73 on Sunday.
"This week was a great week for us," Johnson said. "I felt like we had something to prove, and we did. We had some guys step up and play some really good rounds when we needed them. I'm proud of these guys, and I'm ready to get back and start preparing for the Schenkel."
MSU has a quick turnaround as it prepares for next weekend's competition at the Schenkel Invitational in Stateboro, Ga. The three-day tournament will start Friday (March 13).
For more information on the Bulldogs, follow the program on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram by searching @HailStateMG.
Players Mentioned
/ Men's Golf
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