Perico Has Record-Setting 1st Win; Razorbacks Place 2nd at Jerry Pate National

Jerry Pate National Intercollegiate Results (HMTL)
Jerry Pate National Intercollegiate Results (PDF)

VESTAVIA HILLA, Ala. – University of Arkansas freshman Julian Perico fired a final-round 68 and finished with a three-round total of 197, breaking the school’s 54-hole scoring record and wining by four strokes, at the Jerry Pate National Intercollegiate, played at the par-70, 7,204-yard Old Overton Country Club.

The 19th-ranked Razorbacks finished second as a team, one stroke behind host and #3 Alabama. Arkansas had all five golfers finish among the top 18. In addition to Perico winning, Tyson Reeder tied for 14th while Mason Overstreet, William Buhl and Luis Garza all tied for 18th. It marked the first time five Razorbacks have finished inside the top 20 in one event since the 2013 General Hackler Championship (Arkansas had two players tie for fifth, one place 1th, one tie for 14th and one tie for 17th while an individual placed 21st).

Arkansas was one stroke off the lead with just a handful of holes to play, thanks mainly to Overstreet’s five birdies down the stretch –  including birdies on holes 15, 16 and 17. Soon after, Arkansas would briefly tie the Crimson Tide for the lead, but Alabama senior Davis Riley had an eagle on the par-5, 15th hole to put his team back in the lead by one. With Perico and Riley playing in the final group of the day and Alabama clinging to that one-shot lead, both golfers closed with a par and the Crimson Tide claimed the team title with a score of 828. Arkansas’ runner-up score of 829 ranks as the third-best, 54-hole score in school history.

“I am really proud of this team and having all five guys in the top 18 was just an incredible feat,” said head coach Brad McMakin. “Julian played the greatest tournament in Arkansas history and did so as a freshman. It was very special to watch. I could not be happier with our play this week.”

Perico was able to hold off Riley, who is the 14th-ranked amateur in the world, for the individual title. With Perico picking up his first collegiate win, the Razorbacks have had two individuals claim medalist honors this season as Buhl was the champion at the Gopher Invitational. This also marks the second year in a row a Razorback has won the Jerry Pate National Intercollegiate as Overstreet carded rounds of 65-65-70 last year for a total of 200, then the second-best, 54-hole score in school history.

Entering with a four-shot lead, Perico did not let up Tuesday which proved key as he would win by that same four-shot margin, shooting his final-round, 2-under-par 68. He dropped a shot early, but rallied with birdies on holes 4, 6 and 8. However, he had setbacks on the 9th and 11th holes to fall back to even par for the round. Perico righted the ship with his third birdie in as many rounds at the par-4, 13th hole. Two holes later, he birdied the par-4, 15th for the first time to finish with his 68.

Reeder jumped up two spots with his second straight, even-par round of 70. The junior tied for 14th, his first top 20 finish of the season, with a season-best score of 212 (72-70-70). Reeder opened with a pair of birdies, finishing the day with three, and had three bogeys for his 70.

Overstreet improved each round and climbed seven spots on the final day to finish in a tie for 18th with a 3-over total of 213 (74-71-68). The junior and defending champion was 3-over par for the day after a double bogey on the par-4, 10th hole. However, he showed his championship form down the stretch with birdies on five of his last eight holes to finish with a 2-under-par 68. Overstreet has finished among the top 20 in all three events he has played this fall and 15 times for his three-year career.

Buhl matched Overstreet’s effort as he too climbed seven spots and tied for 18th with a total of 213 thanks to a final-round. 2-under-par 68. The junior had three birdies, including one on the 16th hole to help the Razorbacks temporarily tie for the lead, and one bogey with 15 pars. Today’s round helped Buhl rank fifth in the field with 37 pars over the 54 holes.

Garza also had 15 pars on the final day with two double bogeys and two birdies. He completed the trio of Razorbacks tied for 18th, shooting a 3-over-par 213 (71-71-72). The junior now has 16 career top 20 finishes, the best among the current Razorbacks.

Arkansas will conclude the fall portion of its schedule Oct. 22-23 at the Royal Oaks Intercollegiate, which is hosted by Baylor and played in Dallas.

Notes:
Arkansas led the field in both par 3 (3.07) and par 5 (4.67) scoring.
Arkansas led the field with 58 birdies.
Perico led the field with 20 birdies, Overstreet was sixth with 13.
Perico, Overstreet and Buhl ranked second, third and fourth, respectively in par 3 scoring.
Buhl ranked fifth in the field with 37 pars.

Jerry Pate National Intercollegiate
Oct. 8-9. 2018 – Host: Alabama
Old Overton Country Club – Vestavia Hills, Ala.
Par 70  – 7,204 Yards

Razorback Scores at Jerry Pate (FINAL)

Jerry Pate Team Scores (FINAL)