BYU Breaks Burns Intercollegiate Scoring Record in Team Title
U.S. Amateur Champion Bennett Ties Tournament Record with 61
Cal’s Zheng and Texas A&M’s Bennet named co-winners of individual title
(KAUA‘I, Hawai‘i) – Fueled by four players who finished in the top 10 of a 126-player field, Brigham Young set a new 54-hole team scoring record (810) to win the 2023 John A. Burns Intercollegiate on Kaua‘i. The Cougars dominating performance shattered Auburn’s former scoring record that held for 15 years.
BYU celebrates their 2023 Burns Intercollegiate win at the Ocean Course at Hōkūala
“Playing 27 holes on consecutive days meant anything could happen,” said Bruce Brockbank, BYU’s legendary head men’s golf coach who now has 59 tournament wins to his name across 31 seasons in Provo, Utah. “Our driving accuracy and short game precision were off the charts. It was very rewarding to watch these young men put it all together for a victory in Hawaii.”
BYU built upon their second-round lead of 10 strokes over Arizona to win the program’s fourth Burns team title (1977, 2000, 2007, 2023). Their 54-under total score was anchored by fifth-year senior Carson Lundell (T3), a 2021 All-American Honorable Mention, as well as Hawaiian-born Keanu Akina (5), David Timmons (T10) and Tyson Shelley (T10).
No. 19 Arizona (-36) now has two runner-up finishes in 2023, including at last month’s Thunderbird Intercollegiate. No. 9 Texas A&M (-32), No. 53 California (-27) and No. 20 San Diego State (-24) rounded out the top five.
Sam Bennett reaches the par-5 10th hole in two as head coach Brian Kortan closely watches
Sam Bennett, the reigning U.S. Amateur Champion and 2022 SEC Golfer of the Year, shot 61 with 11 birdies and no bogeys to earn a share of the individual title. He tied the Burns tournament record set yesterday by Long Beach State’s Ian Gilligan. During last year’s final round on Kaua‘i, Bennett set the Ocean Course at Hōkūala course record (64) en route to a second place finish.
California junior Sampson Zheng enjoyed three birdies and one eagle over his final six holes to claim his first collegiate win. Zheng broke into the winner’s circle after coming in second place in the 2022 Alister Mackenzie Invitational.
Sampson Zheng celebrates his first college victory
In a unique situation, tournament officials declared Zheng and Bennett co-winners due to a lack of daylight remaining for a playoff, as well as the chance of rain on Saturday.
Following Aaron Du’s 2022 Burns individual victory, the Golden Bears have now claimed back-to-back individual medalist honors on the Garden Isle. Cal has tied New Mexico for most individual medalists in tournament history.
All team and individual scores are listed on Golfstat.
Next on the schedule for host school Hawai‘i, the Rainbow Warriors will travel to Palm Desert, Calif. to compete in the Wyoming Desert Intercollegiate on March 1 – 3.
Team Leaderboard
Place | School | To Par | Rd. 1 | Rd. 2 | Rd. 3 | Total |
1 | Brigham Young | -54 | 273 | 271 | 266 | 810 |
2 | Arizona | -36 | 278 | 276 | 274 | 828 |
3 | Texas A&M | -32 | 286 | 279 | 267 | 832 |
4 | California | -27 | 277 | 288 | 272 | 837 |
5 | San Diego State | -24 | 292 | 279 | 269 | 840 |
6 | Long Beach State | -20 | 278 | 284 | 282 | 844 |
T7 | New Mexico | -19 | 282 | 282 | 281 | 845 |
T7 | Utah | -19 | 288 | 284 | 273 | 845 |
9 | Southern California | -17 | 294 | 274 | 279 | 847 |
10 | Texas El Paso | -16 | 282 | 282 | 284 | 848 |
11 | Fresno State | -15 | 284 | 281 | 283 | 849 |
12 | Grand Canyon | -13 | 287 | 276 | 288 | 851 |
13 | Santa Clara | -12 | 283 | 293 | 276 | 852 |
14 | UNC Wilmington | -11 | 295 | 278 | 280 | 853 |
T15 | Washington State | -8 | 294 | 283 | 279 | 856 |
T15 | UNLV | -8 | 296 | 282 | 278 | 856 |
17 | Nevada | -6 | 286 | 292 | 280 | 858 |
18 | Sacramento State | -1 | 283 | 285 | 295 | 863 |
T19 | St. Mary’s (CA) | E | 287 | 294 | 283 | 864 |
T19 | Loyola Marymount | E | 297 | 285 | 282 | 864 |
21 | Hawai‘i | +3 | 288 | 296 | 283 | 867 |
Top Individuals
Place | Player | School | To Par | Rd. 1 | Rd. 2 | Rd. 3 | Total |
T1 | Sam Bennett | Texas A&M | -18 | 70 | 67 | 61 | 198 |
T1 | Sampson Zheng | California | -18 | 65 | 68 | 65 | 198 |
T3 | Carson Lundell | Brigham Young | -17 | 70 | 63 | 66 | 199 |
T3 | Ian Gilligan | Long Beach State | -17 | 61 | 71 | 67 | 199 |
5 | Keanu Akina | Brigham Young | -14 | 66 | 67 | 69 | 202 |
T6 | Julien Paltrinieri | Santa Clara | -13 | 71 | 69 | 63 | 203 |
T6 | Matthew Manganello | Fresno State | -13 | 68 | 70 | 65 | 203 |
T6 | Tiger Christensen | Arizona | -13 | 67 | 71 | 65 | 203 |
9 | Shea Lague | San Diego State | -11 | 70 | 71 | 64 | 205 |
T10 | Tyson Shelley | Brigham Young | -10 | 71 | 69 | 66 | 206 |
T10 | Braxton Watts | Utah | -10 | 72 | 67 | 67 | 206 |
T10 | Matthew Braley | Grand Canyon | -10 | 71 | 68 | 67 | 206 |
T10 | David Timmons | Brigham Young | -10 | 66 | 72 | 68 | 206 |
TOURNAMENT FACTS
Dates: Thursday, Feb. 16 – Friday, Feb. 17, 2023
Venue: Ocean Course at Hōkūala
Location: Lihu‘e, Kaua‘i
Yardage (Par): 7,156 (72)
Format: 54 holes; 5-count-4
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Long Beach State’s Gilligan Breaks Tournament Record on Island of Kaua‘i
BYU leads Arizona by one shot in the team competition
(KAUA‘I, Hawai‘i) – As the wind started getting rough and stray golf balls were tossed, if not for the courage of Ian Gilligan, his new John A. Burns Intercollegiate scoring record may have been lost. The Long Beach State sophomore’s fateful trip from the tropic port of Lihu‘e featured nine birdies, two eagles and two bogies en route to an 11-under 61. Gilligan broke the Ocean Course at Hōkūala’s tournament record of 8-under 64 set last year by reigning U.S. Amateur champion and current Texas A&M fifth-year senior, Sam Bennett.
Ian Gilligan tees off on hole 16 while overlooking Nawiliwili Bay
“Ian Gilligan’s record-breaking day added an exciting new chapter to our event’s 46-year history,” said University of Hawai‘i Head Men’s Golf Coach, Scott Simpson. “Though lift, clean and place was in play, that should not detract from his special accomplishment.”
Gilligan’s perseverance on the course was shaped by his childhood battle with cancer. The 2022 Big West Freshman of the Year was diagnosed with lymphoma kinase (ALK)-negative large cell lymphoma at age 15. Gilligan battled the disease throughout high school before eventually becoming cancer-free.
In what amounted to much longer than a three-hour tour, coaches voted to play as many holes as possible on Thursday ahead of Friday’s pending thunderstorms. Most players have now completed 27 holes in the 54-hole championship.
Nine individuals are within four shots of Gilligan, anchored by three BYU Cougars and two Arizona Wildcats.
BYU’s Keanu Akina dials in his tee shot on the par-3 17th hole
In the team competition, BYU was anchored by solid play from Hawaiian-born Keanu Akina (-9), senior David Timmins (-8) and junior Max Brenchley (-7).
Arizona is one shot back at -22. The Wildcats are three-time Burns champions (1992, 2003, 2004) who finished runner-up in 2022. Defending team champion New Mexico (-14), UTEP (-12) and Texas A&M (-11) round out the top five.
Arizona’s Zach Pollo is tied for fifth place at seven-under par
“Bob Takano, the former Hawai‘i Men’s Golf Coach who facilitated the first Burns Intercollegiate in 1977, would be thrilled to see new records still being made today,” said Tom Freestone, PGA Director of Golf, Ocean Course at Hōkūala. “This year’s event is dedicated to honoring Mr. Takano.”
Round two on Friday will resume at 8:30 a.m. HST. Walking spectators can attend for free.
A full list of scores can be found at Golfstat.
Team Leaderboard
Place | School | To Par | Rd. 1 | Rd. 2 (In Progress) |
1 | Brigham Young | -23 | 273 | -8 |
2 | Arizona | -22 | 278 | -12 |
3 | New Mexico | -14 | 282 | -8 |
4 | Texas El Paso | -12 | 282 | -6 |
5 | Texas A&M | -11 | 286 | -9 |
6 | Long Beach State | -9 | 278 | +1 |
7 | Fresno State | -8 | 284 | -4 |
T8 | Santa Clara | -7 | 283 | -2 |
T8 | Grand Canyon | -7 | 287 | -6 |
10 | Sacramento State | -6 | 283 | -1 |
11 | Southern California | -3 | 294 | -9 |
T12 | Utah | -2 | 288 | -2 |
T12 | California | -2 | 277 | +9 |
T14 | Loyola Marymount | -1 | 297 | -10 |
T14 | St. Mary’s (CA) | -1 | 287 | E |
16 | San Diego State | E | 292 | -4 |
17 | UNC Wilmington | +1 | 295 | -6 |
18 | Hawai‘i | +2 | 288 | +2 |
19 | Washington State | +3 | 294 | -3 |
20 | Nevada | +6 | 286 | +8 |
21 | UNLV | +7 | 296 | -1 |
Top Individuals
Place | Player | School | To Par | Rd. 1 | Rd. 2 (In Progress) |
1 | Ian Gilligan | Long Beach State | -11 | 61 | E |
2 | Bastien Amat | New Mexico | -10 | 66 | -4 |
3 | Keanu Akina | Brigham Young | -9 | 66 | -3 |
4 | David Timmons | Brigham Young | -8 | 66 | -2 |
T5 | Zach Pollo | Arizona | -7 | 70 | -5 |
T5 | Sampson Zheng | California | -7 | 65 | E |
T5 | Tiger Christensen | Arizona | -7 | 67 | -2 |
T5 | Marcus Khaw | Texas El Paso | -7 | 67 | -2 |
T5 | Viraj Garewal | Santa Clara | -7 | 67 | -2 |
T5 | Max Brenchley* | Brigham Young | -7 | 65 | E |
*Competing as an Individual
TOURNAMENT FACTS
Dates: Thursday, Feb. 16 – Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023
Venue: Ocean Course at Hōkūala
Location: Lihu‘e, Kaua‘i
Yardage (Par): 7,156 (72)
Format: 54 holes; 5-count-4
Tee Times: 8:30 a.m. HDT shotgun each day
Live Scoring: Golfstat
Host: University of Hawai‘i
Defending Team Champion: New Mexico (839)
Defending Individual Champion: Aaron Du, California (203)
About Ocean Course at Hōkūala
Home to the longest continuous stretch of oceanfront holes in the state of Hawai‘i, the Ocean Course was named one of the “World’s Most Beautiful Golf Courses” by MSN Travel. The 18-hole golf course is part of Timbers Kaua‘i Ocean Club & Residences, a private residential club which opened June 1, 2018 on the island’s southeast coast. Timbers Kaua‘i sits on a 450-acre natural amphitheater which offers unobstructed views of the Pacific Ocean, Kalapaki Bay and Hā‘upu Mountain Range. Website | Facebook | Instagram
About Timbers Kaua'i at Hōkūala
Located in the 450-acre Hōkūala resort community along the Pacific, Kaua'i’s newest luxury resort and residence club combines tranquil Hawaiian living with Timbers Resorts’ signature luxury amenities. Established by premier boutique developer and operator, Timbers Resorts, the property combines tranquil Hawaiian living with Timbers’ signature luxury amenities and personalized full- service concierge team. Timbers Kaua'i at Hōkūala boasts a variety of exceptional offerings for those either seeking to visit or make paradise their home through luxury vacation rentals, one-of-a-kind deeded fractional, and whole ownership real estate opportunities. Amenities include the 18-hole award-winning Ocean Course – Kaua'i’s only Jack Nicklaus Signature Course, a 16.5 Organic Farm, oceanfront dining at Hualani’s with “farm-to-fork” fine dining, a two-tiered infinity-edge pool overlooking the ocean, spa services and wellness programs, 17 miles of accessible trails, and easy access to Kalapaki Beach. Whole-ownership opportunities are priced from approximately $3.99 million to $7.25 million for oceanfront townhomes. Residential interest opportunities start at $445,000.
About Troon
Headquartered in Scottsdale, Ariz., Troon is the world’s largest golf and golf-related hospitality management company providing services at 750-plus locations, including 725-plus 18-hole equivalent golf courses around the globe. In addition to golf, Troon specializes in homeowner association management, private residence clubs, estate management and associated hospitality venues. Troon’s award-winning food and beverage division operates and manages 600-plus food and beverage operations located at golf resorts, private clubs, daily fee golf courses and recreational facilities. With properties located in 45-plus states and 30-plus countries, Troon’s family of brands includes Troon Golf, Troon Privé, Troon International, Indigo Sports, CADDIEMASTER, ClubUp, Cliff Drysdale Tennis, Peter Burwash International, True Club Solutions, RealFood Hospitality, Strategy and Design, Casa Verde Golf and ICON Management. For additional news and information, visit www.Troon.com or connect with Troon on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Troon Chronicles, Press Room, or subscribe to Troon Magazine.
Troon in Hawai‘i
Island of Hawai’i: Mauna Lani and Volcano Golf Course
Kaua‘i: Ocean Course at Hōkūala, Princeville Makai Golf Club and Kukuiolono Park & Golf Course
Maui: Kā‘anapali Golf Courses, Kapalua Golf and King Kamehameha Golf Club
Oahu: Kapolei Golf Club and Pearl Country Club