Records Fall as Duke, Smalley Win in Princeton

Sunday, April 10

Princeton, N.J.

All Day

Duke University

Day Two at Princeton Spring Invitational

Records Fall as Duke, Smalley Win in Princeton

4/10/2016 4:36:00 PM | Men's Golf

Results

By: Duke Sports Information

PRINCETON, N.J. – The No. 20 Duke men's golf team established new program 18 and 36-hole records with a sparkling final round on Sunday to win the Princeton Invitational. Freshman Alex Smalley was victorious on an individual level on Sunday, capturing the tournament's individual medal.

The Blue Devils shot 269 (-15) as a team on Sunday, the best 18-hole team score in program history. The previous record of 270 was set at the 2010 NCAA Central Regional. Duke's effort on Sunday was also the second-best round in school history in relation to par (-15), behind the 17-under second round the team turned in at the Nike Golf Collegiate Invitational in October.

Combined with the 274 that Duke recorded on Saturday, the Blue Devils' total of 543 (-25) set program 36-hole records for both score and relation to par. Duke finished the tournament 34 strokes ahead of second-place Harvard.

"Any time you have five guys under par, no matter what golf course you're on, you're playing at a high level," Duke head coach Jamie Green said. "That's really fun to be around. The way this course sets up, you wind back and forth and our guys could see each other a lot. The energy really flowed for us. We played smart golf, gave ourselves the best angles and managed the ball from tee to green. The guys made a lot of shots that put them in great birdie positions."

Smalley shot a career-best 66 (-5) on Sunday to edge teammates Max Greyserman and Jake Shuman by a stroke for his first career individual medal. After a bogey on No. 2, Smalley played flawless golf over the final 16 holes and used a run of three consecutive birdies to start the back nine to pick up momentum. His 66 on Sunday tied for the fifth-best single-round score by a freshman in Duke history.

Smalley finished the tournament with two rounds in the 60s, going 68-66 for a total of 134 (-8) that ranked as the second-best 36-hole score in Duke history and tied for the program's fourth-best 36-hole effort in relation to par.

"Alex has done a lot well this year, but his iron play was exceptional at this tournament," Green said. "He also putted well when he didn't necessarily put himself in the best positions. Alex has a lot of game from tee to green, but he also has an 'it' factor. He's calm and poised, and he knows his game. You can see it in his eyes."

Greyserman and Shuman were both in the hunt until the end on Sunday, shooting 67 (-4) and 70 (-1), respectively, to finish a shot behind Smalley with totals of 135 (-7).

Greyserman used a late run to get himself into serious contention, birdying three of the final six holes – including Nos. 17 and 18 – and playing the back nine at a total of three under par.

Shuman battled his way to five birdies on the day to combat four bogeys and earn his second consecutive round in red numbers.

"Jake and Max did so many good things this week," Green said. "They both played high caliber golf all weekend. Both guys handled adversity well and had great personas on the golf course. They were both in total control the entire two rounds."

Sophomore Adam Wood shot 69 (-2) on Sunday to get to even par on the tournament and notch another top-10 finish. Wood finished in a tie for ninth with a total of 142 (E).

Junior Matt Oshrine bounced back from a difficult round on Saturday to salvage a top-20 finish, tying for 20th with a total of 145 (+3) after shooting 67 (-4) in the final round.

Playing as an individual, junior Alexander Matlari also left New Jersey with a top-20 finish, shooting 75 (+4) on Sunday and tying for 16th place with a total of 144 (+2).

"It's great to bring home a trophy, and I know our guys will cherish this win," Green said. "Most importantly, we played high-level golf over the entire tournament. We'll walk away from this experience with confidence, and that's exciting for (assisant coach) T.D. Luten and me."

The ACC Championship is set for April 22-24 at the Old North State Club in New London, N.C. Live scoring will be available via golfstatresults.com.

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