Jonathan Hardee advances as an individual
SUGAR GROVE, Ill. – Junior Jonathan Hardee carded a third round score of 5-under par 67 on Sunday to lead the Alabama men’s golf team at the 2017 NCAA Men’s Golf National Championships. As a team, the Crimson Tide finished in 17th place overall with three day total of 9-over par 873 (287-293-293), falling just two strokes shy of a top-15 finish and a spot in the final round of stroke play at this year’s championship.
However, Hardee finished a stellar third round that featured five birdies and no bogeys to improve 33 spots into a tie for 17th place overall with a three-day total of 5-under par 211 (69-75-67). The Greer, S.C., native is in contention for medalist honors and advanced as an individual in Monday’s fourth and final round of stroke play.
“I think it proves that you have to get into that top-15 going into today,” Alabama head coach Jay Seawell said. “That’s why (Saturday’s round) was so tough because I felt like we gave it away at the end. It forced us to play in the afternoon today when the winds are always greater, which always makes it harder. It’s a lesson learned. We fought all the way, just unfortunately we didn’t do the things we needed to do at crucial times and today was one of those days.
“I am really proud of Jonathan and the way he played today. He earned a spot in the fourth round. To shoot a 67 in these winds and conditions is something to be proud of. I am looking forward to watching him play tomorrow.”
Hardee, who matched his career-best 18-hole total on Sunday, was one of only two golfers in the field to go the entire round without a bogey, joining Vanderbilt’s Matthias Schwab. Hardee was consistent throughout the day, recording three birdies on the front nine and two on the back nine to go along with 13 pars to end the day with the Tide’s lowest 18-hole total of the event.
Redshirt freshman Josh Sedeno finished tied for 76th overall with a three round total of 5-over par 221 (75-69-77) on the par 72, 7,300-yard Rich Harvest Farms course. Sophomore Davis Riley battled back from a difficult front nine on Sunday with a pair of eagles on the back nine to close play in 95th overall at 7-over par 223 (73-74-76). He was followed by junior Steven Setterstrom, who tied for 117th with a 227 (78-76-73), while junior Lee Hodges rounded out the Tide in 127th with a 229 (70-75-84).
Vanderbilt (846), ranked fourth in the country entering this year’s championship, holds the overall lead after 72 holes by one stroke over No. 1 USC, No. 16 UNLV and No. 17 Oklahoma, who are each tied for second with an 847, followed by eighth-ranked Illinois (850) in fifth. Of the 15 teams who advanced to the fourth round, seven are ranked among the top 10 in the nation.
Hardee, who is one of nine individuals to earn a spot in the fourth round, will tee off the fourth round of play at 1:40 p.m. CT off Hole No. 1.
