Arkansas, Kim Capture Title At Gator Invitational

Final Results

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The No. 29 Arkansas men’s golf team captured its second victory of the year Sunday afternoon, leading wire-to-wire to defeat seven nationally ranked teams and win the SunTrust Gator Invitational by seven shots at Mark Bostick Golf Course.

With four freshmen and one sophomore in the lineup, the Razorbacks recorded multiple victories in a season for the fifth time in the last seven years. Arkansas has now won 24 team titles in head coach Brad McMakin’s 11-year tenure at the helm of the program, including 19 victories in the last six seasons.

“I am so proud of these guys for battling through adversity coming out on top in a really good field here at the Gator Invitational,” said McMakin. “Coming in without our number one player and having these young guys step up the way they did is incredible.”

Going up against 2nd-ranked Florida on its home course, the Razorbacks went toe-to-toe with the Gators and eclipsed their conference rival by eight shots en route to the win. Arkansas posted rounds of 288-278-279 – 845 (+5) and held off a Sunday charge by Missouri (+12) and Jacksonville (+12) for its second win at the event in the last three appearances.

Heading into the final round with a three-shot lead on the field, sophomore Charles Kim made the turn to the back nine at 2-over on the day and deadlocked atop the leaderboard with Missouri’s Rory Franssen. A back nine push from Franssen gave the Tiger a one-shot lead as the duo walked up 18, but Kim’s birdie on the final hole, coupled with a bogey from Franssen gave Kim his first collegiate victory.

Here’s footage of Charles Kim’s winning putt at the #SunTrustGator Invitational! @RazorbackMGolf pic.twitter.com/yYDFNRboUg

— Kevin Casey (@GolfweekCasey) February 19, 2017

Kim finished with rounds of 68-66-70 – 204 (-6) to secure his first collegiate tournament under-par and record his first top-20 finish of the year. He led the field in par 4 scoring at 4-under and in total birdies with 16 on his way to the victory.

Freshman Mason Overstreet notched the second top-20 finish of his career at 71-71-72 – 214 (+4) to finish T-12th overall, while freshman Luis Garza recorded the low round of the tournament on Sunday with a 5-under 65 to vault 43 spots up the leaderboard and finish T-16th. His rounds of 76-74-65 – 215 (+5) sent him to his sixth consecutive top-20 finish.

Dylan Naidoo and William Buhl rounded out the team, as Naidoo posted 73-73-72 – 218 (+8) to finish T-33rd overall, while Buhl carded 79-68-75 – 222 (+12), good for T-58th.

The Razorbacks return to action next week, traveling to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, for the Querencia Cabo Collegiate. The field will feature 10 of the top 30 teams in the nation in what has become one of the best tournaments in college golf.

For more information on Arkansas men’s golf, follow @RazorbackMGolf on Twitter.

Razorback Lineup Final Results

SunTrust Gator Invitational Final Team Results