Alabama
Olympia Fields/FIghting Illini Invitational
No. 2 Alabama Men’s Golf Places Fourth at Olympia Fields/Fighting Illini Invitational
9/16/2018 4:01:00 PM | Men's Golf
Three Crimson Tide golfers finish among top-20 individuals to lead UA
OLYMPIA FIELDS, Ill. – Second-ranked Alabama had three golfers finish among the top-20 individuals to lead the team to a fourth-place finish on Sunday at the 2018 Olympia Fields/Fighting Illini Invitational. The Crimson Tide, one of 10 squads in the 15-team field ranked among the top-25 in the nation entering the event, closed the three-day 54-hole tournament with an 18-over par 858 (284-283-291).
"We've had a good two weeks which allowed us to see where we were as a team," Alabama head coach Jay Seawell said. "I'm proud of a lot of good things I saw over the past couple of weeks, but these courses, especially here at Olympia Fields, really show you where you want to be as a team. It showed us we have a lot of work to do. I like where we are right now, but we have to continue to improve and that's on me as the head coach. I look forward to getting back home and getting better."
Alabama was led by senior Davis Riley who finished the tournament in 13th overall with a 2-over par 212 (68-73-71) for his 23rd career top-20 finish and second in as many events this year. The Hattiesburg, Miss., native tied for the fourth-most birdies made over the course of the tournament (11), which was just three behind tournament leader Collin Morikawa of California.
Sophomore Davis Shore had his best showing of the young season as he tied for 14th with a 3-over par 213 (73-68-72) on the par 70, 7,281-yard Olympia Fields Country Club North Course layout. Freshman Frankie Capan III tied for 20th overall after carding a 5-over 215 (70-72-73) to give the Crimson Tide three golfers among the top-20 finishers.
Sophomore Wilson Furr tied for 38th with a three-day total of 220 (73-70-77), while junior Josh Sedeno rounded out the UA lineup as he tied for 42nd with a 221 (73-72-76).
Top-ranked Oklahoma State claimed the team title with an 11-under 829, bettering second place and No. 20 USC (847) by 18 strokes. California, ranked No. 11, finished a spot ahead of Alabama with an 856, while No. 23 UNLV closed with an 860 to round out the top-five teams.
Alabama will next compete on Oct. 8-9 when it hosts the Jerry Pate National Intercollegiate at Old Overton Golf Course in Vestavia Hills, Ala. Admission to the event will be free to the public.
"We've got three weeks to get ready for the Pate," Seawell said. "We've gone quick and hard with two tournaments in two weeks to begin the year, so our guys will get a little bit of rest and then we'll get to work. These next three weeks will be very important to the development of our team and the Pate comes at a very good time for us. There is going to be great teams and great players, so fans who come out can expect to see some great golf. We are excited to host and defend the title."
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