‍Chaminade University of Honolulu takes Men’s Division II;
Austin Shoemaker claims Men’s Individual crown ‍

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PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Florida (May 8, 2024) 一 All the Florida A&M University men’s golf team wanted was a chance.

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A chance to be in contention and compete for a trophy during Wednesday’s final round of the 2024 PGA WORKS Collegiate Championship presented by Chase, Kohler and ADT. 

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The Rattlers (27-over) earned their chance and finished the job, recording a wire-to-wire victory as the Men’s Division I Champions. They combined to shoot a 13-over par 301 on TPC Sawgrass’ Stadium course to win by 29. 

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Alabama State University (56-over) finished runner up and North Carolina A&T State University (74-over) claimed third place. 

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“It’s been 24 years since we’ve won this event,” said FAMU Head Coach Mike Rice. “I remember that because I was on the team that won the event in 2000. To bring this to these guys and for them to be able to enjoy this is amazing.”

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FAMU senior Marcus Taylor clinched the Men’s Division I medalist honors behind a three-day score of 2-over-par 218. He posted 1-under-par 71 in the final round for a five stroke victory.

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“I’m really stoked with the win, as an individual and as a team,” said Taylor. “I didn't have much preparation coming into this, I was packed with academics, taking 19 credits this semester. Graduation was my main focus so I had no expectations coming into this event, so yeah I’m excited.”

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With four birdies on the card in his final round, how he finished on the famed 17th and 18th holes on the Stadium course made the difference for Taylor.

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“My birdie on 17, I stood over that ball on the tee and didn’t feel nervous to be honest with you, but when I got to the putt I thought ‘send me out the right way and make this putt.’ I was really stoked about that. On 18, driver is the best club in my bag and I absolutely laced it about 350 yards. I had 55 yards in.”

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Rattlers graduate student Patrick Mwendapole (7-over) shot a final-round 6-over 78 to finish runner-up while second round leader Taylor Bell (10-over) shot an 11-over 83. Graduate student Patrick Jean-Pierre (15-over) finished with a 4-over 76 and senior Miles Taylor (18-over) came in with his low round of the week at 4-over 76.

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Chaminade University of Honolulu (67-over) traveled the furthest to compete in the PWCC, they also came from behind to win the Men’s Division II Championship by a mere one stroke over first and second round leader Lincoln University of Missouri (68-over). 

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“It’s like a dream,” said Chaminade Head Coach Renee Yuen. “First of all, getting here to this tournament, this venue was something that when I heard about it, I said I want to bring the team. To come here, to play, struggle through it and then to win by one stroke, I’m so happy and proud of the guys.”

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With a final round team score of 25-over 313, Lincoln University of Missouri was runner up at 68-over 932. Bluefield State University (70-over) took third following a 25-over 313. 

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Chaminade sophomore Ethan Alexander, who finished runner up in the medalist competition, recorded his team’s low round of the day with a 1-under-par 71. 

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“It’s hard to really believe,” said Alexander. “It hasn't really hit yet. I was out there and didn’t want to look at the leaderboard the whole day. I was playing well on the front nine. I was trying to keep everything in front of me.”

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Lincoln University of Missouri senior Austin Shoemaker (4-over) went wire-to-wire to win the Men’s Division II Medalist honors.

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Making the turn on the Valley course at even for the day, Shoemaker's round turned turbulent with a double on the par-4 11th hole. He followed it with a birdie on the par-3 14th and back-to-back bogeys on 15-16. A birdie on the par-5 4th hole was enough for a two stroke victory over Chaminade’s Alexander.

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University of Michigan junior Yuqi Liu (3-under) claimed the Men’s Individual Championship title with a final round 2-under-par 70.

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Liu started the final round with a birdie on the par-3 3rd hole to make the turn at 1-under on the day and then proceeded to birdie holes 10-13. He found trouble on 14 and made double bogey and followed it with another bogey on 15, but a two putt birdie on the par-5 16th was enough to keep his one stroke lead and win.

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“The drive on 16 was tough because I don't really hit a draw with my driver,” said Liu. “It was into the wind off the left so I just picked a good start line and hit a great shot in the fairway. 

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“It was a really tough second shot. I had about 230 to the pin and I went for it. It wasn’t easy but I always believe in myself. I knew I could pull it off and I did.”

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University of North Alabama’s sophomore Eric Luo (2-under) carded a bogey-free 3-under-par 69 for his low round of the championship to finish runner-up. Purdue University sophomore Kentaro Nanayama (1-under) finished third.

For more information on the PGA WORKS Collegiate Championship, visit www.PGAWORKSCollegiate.org.