A 7-under par final round propelled the Auburn men’s golf team to a 10-shot victory at the Southern Highlands Collegiate at Southern Highlands Golf Club in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Tuesday. The Tigers finished the week with a 9-under par 855 to take the tournament title, the team’s first stroke play event win of the 2024-25 season.
“What a great showing by our guys this week,” Auburn head golf coach Nick Clinard said. “We’d yet to really put it into high gear and play at our best this season, and I think this tournament is a sign of that, physically and mentally. Hopefully this is the first domino to fall and push us on an upward trajectory as we get rolling deeper into the spring. I’m proud of the efforts of all five guys this week.”
Carson Bacha, a senior from York, Penn., finished second for the tournament, and four of five Auburn players earned top 15 placements.
“Pleased with what I was able to contribute today. I had the goal to go bogey-free, so it was great to be able to sprinkle in some circles as well. I’m grateful for the Lord and the talents he’s blessed us with,” Bacha said.
Bacha’s 64 (-8) on Tuesday—a round that included six birdies, 11 pars, and one eagle—helped him finish at 7-under. That score was only topped by UNLV’s Caden Fioroni, who shot -9 to earn low medalist.
Auburn sophomore Josiah Gilbert shot 70-69-74 to finish fourth, and senior Brendan Valdes finished one stroke back of Gilbert in fifth place.
FINAL STANDINGS
1.No. 2 Auburn -9
2. UNLV +1
3. New Mexico +7
4. No. 9 Virginia +10
T5. No. 4 Oklahoma +19
T5. No. 11 Florida +19
T5. No. 24 Pepperdine +19
T5. RV Texas A&M +19
9. USC +20
10. No. 12 Illinois +23
11. No. 22 San Diego State +29
12. No. 18 SMU +31
13. No. 16 Georgia Tech +32
14. Washington +44
15. RV Georgia +48
“It was great to flex our depth this week with this group of guys,” Bacha added. “We’re super proud of how we played, especially in the final round. We handled the tough weather the first few days with great attitudes and came out firing today.” TG
Pictured: Auburn’s Carson Bacha. Photo courtesy Auburn Athletics.
