The Aggie Shootout: Texas A&M over Oklahoma in a playoff
Sam Bennett won his third individual title of 2021
photo courtesy Texas A&M
Texas A&M served notice they are a team to be reckoned with heading into the championship season as the 12th-ranked Aggies overcame Texas and defeated top-ranked Oklahoma in a playoff to capture the Aggie Invitational held at the Traditions Golf Club.
The Aggies entered Sunday’s final round seven shots behind Texas but shot a 4-under 284 to leapfrog 5th-ranked Longhorns and catch the top-ranked Sooners to force a playoff. The Aggies and Sooners replayed the 18th hole at Traditions with A&M coming out on top, marking the first time since 2014 the Aggies have won their own tournament.
The Aggies and Sooners finished the 54-hole event tied at 2-over while the Longhorns slipped to 5-over after holding the lead after the first two rounds. Texas Tech (+9), Baylor (+12) and Louisville (+14) rounded out the top five.
"It means we beat a bunch of good golf teams," said Texas A&M head coach Brian Kortan. "Beating Texas and Oklahoma and playing with those guys three days in a row is a great experience for our guys. This is where you build. These are the type of events that you can draw experience from during the postseason. It means a lot to have that experience, but it also means a lot to come out on top.”
Texas A&M junior Sam Bennett, who entered the final round with a three-shot lead, shot an even par 72 on the 7,227-yard Traditions Club layout to notch his third win of the season. His 6-under score of 210 was good for a one stroke victory over Pierceson Coody of Texas. Bennett, ranked 18th among Division I players in the latest Golfstat rankings, became the fourth Texas A&M golfer to win the Aggie Invitational. It was his third individual title of the spring following wins at the Cabo Collegiate (held in San Antonio) and the Old Waverly Collegiate in West Point, Miss.
Luke Dossey of Baylor finished third at 2-under 214, Jordan Less of Northern Illinois placed fourth at 1-under 215 while Oklahoma’s Garett Reband finished fifth at even par 216.
The Aggies will now turn their attention to the SEC Championships, set for April 21-25 at Sea Island Golf Club in St. Simons Island, Ga. while the Sooners at Longhorns eye the Big 12 Championships slated for April 26-28 at Prairie Dunes Country Club in Hutchinson, Kan.
ABOUT THE
The Aggie Invitational
54 hole men's college golf tournament in Texas
hosted by Texas A&M University played at the
very challenging The Traditions Golf Club, a
7142 yard, par 72 layout.
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