ASU Men’s Golf: Sun Devils win first tournament at Maui Jim Invitational

The Arizona State Sun Devils men’s golf team took home the crown at the Maui Jim Invitational tournament at the Desert Forest Golf Club in Carefree, Arizona on Sunday.

ASU trumped major ranked competitors, such as No. 23 Kent State who and No. 7 Louisiana State. This is the first win for the team this season after the Devils finished seventh at the Gopher Invitational at Windsong Farm Golf Club in Independence, Minnesota.

The win at Desert Forest will help the Sun Devils build momentum into October, as they head to Colorado for the Paintbrush Intercollegiate in two weekends.

A major contributing factor to the Sun Devil victory was Sophomore Alex Del Rey out of Madrid, Spain. Del Rey took home the individual tournament crown by posting a 65 (7-under). Freshman Mason Anderson also had an impressive showing tying for sixth place.

Del Rey improved every day of tournament play after posting a 73 (+1) on Friday and a 68 (-4) on Saturday. Freshman Mason Anderson also had an impressive showing tying for 6th place while shooting a 71 (-1). Anderson’s scores improved as well after shooting a 72 (even) on Friday and a 70 (-2) on Saturday to put him in contention for the individual title.

ASU was tied for third going into final round Sunday, trialing Kent State and Georgia tech by three strokes. Huge pushes by Del Rey and Anderson helped the Sun Devils overcome the tough task of coming back.

In the end, the Sun Devils were technically sound when it mattered most, and young talent helped lead the charge to victory.