Highsmith Wins, Men's Golf Advances to NCAA Finals

Wednesday, May 18

Bryan, Texas

Pepperdine University

NCAA Bryan Regional

5/18/2022 4:25:00 PM | Men's Golf

Results Photo Gallery

By: by Athletic Communications

BRYAN, Texas – The Pepperdine men's golf team will defend its title at the 2022 NCAA Championships as the Waves qualified after finishing in second place at the NCAA Bryan Regional on Wednesday. Pepperdine was led by Joe Highsmith taking medalist honors, while William Mouw tied for second.

The top five teams advanced, and the Waves did so comfortably, winding up 22 shots better than sixth-place SMU after finishing with an 8-under 856 (279-289-288) at the par-72 Traditions Club. Second place is Pepperdine's best-ever finish at an NCAA Regional.

Pepperdine began the day in fourth place and eight shots ahead of sixth. After the first half of the final round Pepperdine looked like it might be headed for a fourth or fifth-place finish, but the Waves played excellent golf down the stretch – all five players scored their final nine holes at par or better – and Pepperdine passed host Texas A&M and Georgia.

The two-time national champions have advanced to the NCAA finals for the third consecutive time – a first in program history – and for the 12th time overall.

PLAYER SCORES

Senior Joe Highsmith (Lakewood, Wash./Bellarmine Prep) won his third career title and became the third Wave to win an NCAA Regional, following in the footsteps of his head coach Michael Beard (2000) and Josh Anderson (2012). He shot a 6-under 210 (69-72-69) to win by one. His 3-under was almost flawless on the day with four birdies, and his only bogey came on the final hole. He began the round tied for 10th place, three shots back.
Junior William Mouw (Chino, Calif./Ontario Christian HS) tied for second with a 5-under 211 (71-69-71). He had an eagle on the par-5 eighth that gave him the lead heading to the final hole before settling for runner-up. He finished with four birdies in addition to the eagle.
Senior Derek Hitchner (Minneapolis, Minn./The Blake School) tied for 10th with a 2-under 214 (67-72-75). He had one birdie in the final round. After a tough start he played the final 15 holes at even-par.
Junior Dylan Menante (Carlsbad, Calif./Sage Creek HS) tied for 39th at 222 (72-76-74). Over his final 10 holes today he had nine pars and one of his two birdies.
Senior Joey Vrzich (El Cajon, Calif./Christian HS/Nevada) was 44th at 223 (72-77-74). After a slow start he turned things around over the final 10 holes, with a birdie on 18, followed by six straight pars, and then ended the tournament with three straight birdies.

UP NEXT

The NCAA Championships are set for May 27-June 1 at Grayhawk Golf Club in Scottsdale, Arizona.

THE NUMBERS

Team Scores: 1. Arizona 851; 2. Pepperdine 856; 3. Texas A&M 860; 4. Georgia 863; 5. Kansas 867; 6. SMU 878; 7. Tennessee 880; 8. Michigan State 884; 9. Oregon State 855; 10. Colorado State 888; 11. Boise State 902; 12. Southeastern Louisiana 903; 13. Texas Southern 956.

Top Individuals: 1. Joe Highsmith (Pepperdine) 210; T2. William Mouw (Pepperdine) 211; T2. Chase Sienkiewicz (Arizona) 211; 4. Walker Lee (Texas A&M) 212; T5. five players tied at 213.

VIDEO | @CoachMBeard on the Waves advancing to the #NCAAGolf finals:#WavesUp pic.twitter.com/5uWSwXnjFa
— Pepperdine Men's Golf (@PeppGolf) May 18, 2022

VIDEO | Here's @joehighsmith33 on advancing to the #NCAAGolf finals and winning the individual title:#WavesUp pic.twitter.com/ON0Jti7vnV
— Pepperdine Men's Golf (@PeppGolf) May 18, 2022