Steve Burak (North Easton, Mass.) shot a final round 76 (+4) at the NCAA Baton Rouge Regional at The University Club in Baton Rouge, La., to finish in 48th place with a 54-hole score of 232 (+16). The Fairfield University junior, who moved up three spots in the final round, is the program's first-ever NCAA qualifier earning the berth after winning the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) crown with a tournament record -8.
“I am so proud of Steve,” said Stags Director of Golf Len Roberto. “He kept his composure throughout the weekend and never gave up. He fought for every stroke all three rounds under pressure against some of the most talented golfers in the country.”
Burak had his second best round of the event, having opened with a +3, 75 on Thursday. After a bogey to start the final round on the 10th hole, he played the next six holes at -2, with a birdie three on the 12th hole and a two in the 16th hole. Burak finished his tournament experience with pars on four of the last five holes of the tournament.
The regional was comprised of 13 teams and 75 total individual players. Tyler Klava of South Alabama won a one-hole playoff, with a par on 18, to earn the individual qualifying spot from the region with a three-round score of 218 (+2).
Alabama's Bobby Wyatt shot a tournament-best round of 66 to finish in second place at -2, two strokes behind his teammate and individual winner, Scott Strohmeyer. The Crimson Tide made up an eight stroke deficit with a regional-best 282 final round score, winning the team title at 868, six strokes ahead of Florida. The Gators, along with LSU, Tennessee and Coastal Carolina advance as teams to the NCAA Championship.