Razorbacks Ranked #1; Fortlage #8

FAYETTEVILLE – With two wins and a runner-up finish this fall, the Arkansas men’s golf team ranks #1 in the initial NCAA Scoreboard/Clippd national rankings. Individually, junior Erich Fortlage leads the way by being ranked #8.

It is the first time Arkansas has reached the #1 spot in the NCAA rankings. The program’s previous best ranking was #2 in the initial rankings of the 2021-22 season.

Arkansas, 1 of 6 SEC teams among the top 10, won its season opener (Vuori Invitational) and its own Blessings Collegiate Invitational (by 22 strokes), while placing second – one stroke off the lead – at the Bryan Bros Collegiate.

The Razorbacks own a 33-1 record and 82.62 average weighted points, just ahead of Auburn (33-1 in two events with 82.58 points). Rounding out the top 10 are New Mexico, Alabama, Texas Tech, Texas, Oklahoma State, East Tennessee, Tennessee and Florida.

Fortlage finished runner-up, one stroke off the lead, at the Bryan Bros  Collegiate, then placed fifth at the Blessings Collegiate Invitational. He leads the team with a 70.17 scoring average as he has shot par or better in 5 of his 6 rounds this season.

Senior Thomas Curry is ranked #22 and Niilo Maki-Petaja is #38. Curry leads the team with four rounds in the 60s this fall and has placed among the top 10 in each of his three events this season, including a T-5th, T-7th and 3rd. Maki-Petaja, who was runner-up at the Blessings, has shot par or better five times this season and owns a 71.33 scoring average.

The Razorbacks conclude the fall season this weekend (Oct. 17-19) at the Fallen Oak Collegiate Invitational. In addition to #1 Arkansas, the field includes #4 Alabama, #9 Tennessee, #12 Illinois, #14 Georgia, #30 Wake Forest, #34 Mississippi State, #36 LSU, #37 Ole Miss and #46 South Carolina.

For more information on Arkansas Men’s Golf, follow @RazorbackMGolf on Twitter.