Ole Miss SID
Princeville, Hawaii- Ole Miss sophomore Braden Thornberry notched his third individual title of the fall to propel the Rebels to their third team tournament win of the season at the Princevillle Warrior Makai Invitational Tuesday.
Thornberry fired a bogey-free final round and rolled in five birdies en route to a 5-under 67 at Makai Golf Club. His tournament score of 71-65-67–203 tied the second-best score in school history, behind his total of 198 he set last month. Thornberry’s five career victories are second most in school history behind Dave Peege, who set the record at seven in 1985.
Ole Miss had the best score of 19 teams through each round, finishing with a team total of 831, clearing second-place Sam Houston State by 22 strokes. That final score is tied for second-best in school history with the mark they set last month at the AutoTrader.com Collegiate Classic. The Rebels bested three ranked opponents in Hawaii, including SEC foe No. 24 Missouri, No. 22 Arizona State and No. 49 Colorado State.
“I am running out of words to describe this group and what they have accomplished this entire fall season,” Head Coach Chris Malloy said. “What they did these last three days is as impressive as anything that I have been a part of in college golf. Each of these guys has stepped up throughout the fall and have been a major key to our success. Braden has certainly had a fall to remember. To win once in college is special, but to win three times in one semester is amazing. We need to get back and take some time away from the game and reflect on what a special season it’s been so far.”
The Rebels all finished inside the top-25 of an 111-man field. Senior Noah West posted 4-under par in his final 11 holes to record a career-low score of 9-under par 207 to finish in fourth place, good for his second top-five finish of the season. Sophomore Josh Seiple also earned his best career finish with a final score of 2-under 214, to tie for 16th place. Senior Ben Wolcott and junior Kerry Sweeney both finished in a tie for 18th at 1-under 215. Wolcott highlighted his tournament with an opening-round score of 3-under par 69, while Sweeney performed his best on the final round with a 2-under par 70. Sophomore Beau Briggs also set a career-best round and tournament totals with a final-round 2-under par 70 and three-round total of even-par 216 to finish first among individual competitors.
The Rebels wrapped up fall play with three tournament victories and two second-place finishes to post a 65-2 overall record. Ole Miss tees off their spring season in Puerto Rico on Feb. 19. Fans can follow live stats by downloading the Ole Miss Athletics mobile app or at the Golfstat website. For all Ole Miss Men’s golf news and information, follow the Rebels on Twitter at @OleMissMGolf, on Instagram at OleMissMGolf and on Facebook at facebook.com/OleMissMGolf. Fans can also follow Head Coach Chris Malloy on Twitter @CoachMalloy12.
