Connemara’s Kansas State convert Luke O’Neill fired a brilliant final round six-under 66 to share the individual title and help his team to a podium finish at the Colleton River Collegiate.
O’Neill posted six birdies in a blemish-free final round effort at the Jack Nicklaus Golf Course, earning a share of the title at 14-under par alongside Ohio’s Adam Wallin.
Luke O’Neill wins a share of the individual title at 14-under par 202 ???#KStateMGOLF pic.twitter.com/xS6OKGGdaK
— K-State Men’s Golf (@KStateMGolf) March 8, 2022
“What a performance for Luke,” head coach Grant Robbins said. “To go 54 holes with only one bogey was incredible.”
With the first championship of his career, O’Neill becomes the first Wildcat to win an individual title since Jeremy Gandon in the 2019 Mission Inn Spring Spectacular, while it was the 41st individual championship in school history.
“His ball striking was really on all week,” Robbins said. “He’s been working hard, and I’m really happy to see him rewarded for it.”
K-State carded a 10-under par 278 final round – its best 18 holes of the tournament – to close out the day and capture its second straight top-five finish and fourth of the season.
O’Neill tallied 39 pars, 13 birdies, an eagle and just a single bogey over the 54 holes.
“The conditions were perfect and it was set up for a lot of birdies. We just didn’t make enough putts to keep up with Georgia Southern,” Robbins said. “Hats off to them, they played some phenomenal golf.”
“I’m really proud of the guys and how they competed this week,” Robbins said. “We played well today as a team.”
The Wildcats won’t have much time to celebrate the performance, as they will be right back in action March 14-15 at the Louisiana Classics in Lafayette, Louisiana.
- Full scoring HERE
Leave a comment