Spring is upon us, golf is back and Ethan Evans just posted a monster performance at the General James Hackler Championship.
The Blue Devils finished in third at the event with a score of 850 14-under par. Duke finished behind Auburn and Louisville, two of the best teams in the nation, largely thanks to the efforts of Evans. The junior shot 11-under 205 in the event, good for second place individually.
“His shoulders and back would probably have to be a little bit sore after carrying us in that second round, especially when he shot 66 and the weather was challenging,” head coach Jaime Green said of Evans’ incredible showing.
Although the Blue Devils were competing against other top programs, the biggest antagonist throughout the event seemed to be the weather. Wind, rain and hail plagued coach Green’s squad, yet they would not be deterred.
Despite the difficult conditions, Evans played his best golf of the season. He shot a 6-under 66 in the second round, claiming the individual lead heading into the final day of the event. In the final round Evans posted a 2-under 70, enough to place both himself and his team on the podium.
“We just didn't play great, other than Ethan,” Green said. “It's one of those things where when the ball flies up in the air, you just have zero control.”
Bryan Kim stood out on Tuesday, tallying a 3-under 69 in the final action of the event. His steady play throughout the week earned him a ninth-place finish with a final score of 5-under 211.
“Certainly Brian played well, and in the final round, got going,” Green said. “It was a good week for him.”
Apart from Evans and Kim, the Blue Devils still performed solidly. On the final day, William Love and Luke Sample joined Evans in turning in a 70, good enough for 2-under par.
Sample struggled through the first two rounds, and after bogeying on the second hole in the last round, it seemed like he was in for more of the same. Despite this, the New York native managed to play the remainder of the round bogey free, and even posted birdies on No. 4, No. 11 and No. 16.
“Luke, at his level and with his level of experience, would admit that he struggled the first two rounds,” Green said. “It was out of character for him to feel a little uncomfortable with his ball striking, and he just wasn't saving it with the short game.”
The next test for Duke begins Monday at the Valspar Intercollegiate Invitational in Palm City, Fla.
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