Duke men's golf wins ACC Championship with comeback on the final nine holes

Playing from four shots down to start the final round, No. 9 Duke stormed back to take its seventh ACC title in program history.

With a four-under-par performance Sunday afternoon, the Blue Devils fought through subpar weather conditions and passed No. 14 Florida State—which had led after the tournament’s first and second rounds—to take the 2013 ACC Championship at Old North State Club in New London, N.C.

“In the last hour, when the weather was almost unplayable, these guys were able to make really big putts, make pars, and that’s what we needed,” Duke head coach Jamie Green said. “I’m really proud of how these guys kept it together.”

Duke posted a 25-under 839 on the weekend, setting a school record for lowest 54-hole score.

The Blue Devils finished three strokes ahead of the Seminoles, who finished tied for second with Virginia Tech at 22-under.

Senior Adam Sumrall and junior Austin Cody led the charge in the final round for Duke, with each posting scores of two-under-par. Cody was particularly clutch on the back nine, recording birdies on the 13th and 14th holes before sinking a 40-foot putt on the 16th hole to lead the Blue Devils’ late surge.

“[Austin wanted to aim it outside a ball mark [on the green] and it was starting to rain pretty heavy,” assistant coach T.D. Luten said. “From my vantage point, once it rolled over the line he wanted, I said, ‘Oh baby’ and it disappeared.”

As the Blue Devils played their final three holes, the weather went from bad to worse. Duke’s final three holes were amidst a heavy downpour, forcing the team to hold onto its lead for dear life.

“At the end of the day, it was just a test of survival,” Green said.

Sumrall finished fifth overall with an eight-under 208, the second-lowest round by a Duke player in ACC Championship history. He has never shot worse than even-par in his career at the Old North State Club.

Green said Sumrall has continued to improve over the years, playing his way into the lineup last season and becoming one of the team’s leaders during his senior campaign.

“He wasn’t in the lineup his freshman and sophomore year in this tournament, so I think it speaks to how he’s worked,” Green said. “I couldn’t be more proud of how he played this week.”

Brinson Paolini and Julian Suri finished tied for seventh at five-under-par, shooting 211 for the tournament.

The Blue Devils found themselves in contention Sunday thanks to a 15-under-par performance as a team Saturday, tying a school record. Suri led the way, shooting a six-under 66. Paolini and Sumrall posted rounds of 68 and 69 respectively.

Duke now awaits its assignment for the NCAA Regional Championships, which will take place May 16-18.

“We don’t have any idea where we’re going to be sent for regionals, but it doesn’t really matter,” Green said. “These guys have been building throughout the year. We’re just looking forward to the next opportunity.”