UConn’s Drake Hull (right) is congratulated by Penn State coach Greg Nye following his victory. (Image via UConn Huskies)
While Tiger Woods was wrapping up the Green Jacket in Augusta to claim his fifth Master’s title, Drake Hull and the UConn Golf team wrapped up a strong weekend in the Rutherford Intercollegiate at Penn State.
The Huskies placed fourth out of 13 teams in the tournament, and almost everyone had a rough time with unfavorable conditions on the Penn State Blue Course. Not a single team and only a handful of golfers finished below par for the weekend, as Penn State claimed the title with a 3-over-par. The Huskies finished 11-over 82 after three rounds, finishing Sunday’s round with an aggregate 7-over-par.
Hull led the Huskies and the entire field with a 5-under for the tournament, finishing all three rounds under par and capping it off with a 3-under 68 on Sunday. Hull began Sunday in a four-way tie for third but was able to battle through tough weather to claim his first collegiate victory by a single stroke.
Jimmy Hervol finished second on the Huskies and tied for ninth overall with an even par weekend. Hervol bounced back from shooting 2-over 73 on the first round to record 2-under 69 and par scores on his last two. This was his seventh top 10 finish of the year.
Nick Harrington, Jack Boulger and Zach Iannone all had rough weekends. Harrington and Boulger both finished tied for 37th with a 10-over 81. Harrington shot a 6-over 77 on the third round to push his final score, while Boulger shot 5-over 76 on the first and third rounds. Iannone finished one stroke ahead in 35th place but also shot 5-over 76 on the third round.
Playing as an individual, Nick Hampoian finished tied for 32nd with a 8-over 79 for the weekend. Hampoian shot a 6-over 77 on the second round, but otherwise performed well given the conditions.
UConn started the third round in third place but slipped to fourth after a 7-over 78 round, while West Virginia took third by one stroke after shooting 1-under 70 on Sunday.
Up next for the Huskies will be The American Athletic Conference Championship on April 21 to 23 on the Copperhead Course at Innisbrook Resort in Palm Harbor, Florida.
Neil Simmons is a campus correspondent for The Daily Campus. He can be reached via email at neil.simmons@uconn.edu.
