After Virginia’s historic ACC title and storming NCAA runner-up finish in the spring, it is safe to say the No. 1 Cavaliers have picked up right where they left off in the fall.
Virginia kicked off its tournaments this season with flair, tying for second at The Invitational at The Honors Course in Ooltewah, Tenn., and sharing the first-place crown with three other teams at the Ben Hogan Collegiate Invitational in Fort Worth, Texas.
This weekend, Friday through Sunday, the Cavaliers headed down to Alpharetta, Ga., for the Golf Club of Georgia Collegiate Invitational — the first of a two-tournament stretch for Virginia. Hosted by No. 18 Georgia Tech, the top five Virginia golfers faced off in a 54-hole tournament against 13 other teams — five of which are ranked in the top 25. Freshman Michael Lee, junior Josh Duangmanee, seniors Ben James and Bryan Lee and graduate student Paul Chang battled it out in the 75-player field. Sophomore Maxi Puregger also competed for the Cavaliers as an individual.
The tight competition did not stop Virginia from attacking in full swing in the first round Friday. The Cavaliers shot a remarkable 16-under par, including a season-best 67 from Paul Chang and five birdies from Michael Lee to start his college career.
In the second round, Virginia rounded out the action with steady play, shooting one-under. After 36 holes, the Cavaliers sat with just a single-stroke lead over Duke, with Chang and Michael Lee tied for fifth overall at five-under.
Despite the conference rival giving them a run for their money, the Cavaliers took care of business Sunday in the final 18, led by No. 1-ranked individual Ben James and No. 7 Bryan Lee. The seniors both shot a 68 on the day, bringing the Cavaliers to a 15-stroke lead and their first victory this fall that did not end in a tie.
James ranked third as an individual in the invitational, outscored by the No. 4 Bryan Kim of the Blue Devils by three strokes. Bryan Lee was not too far behind James, tying for sixth overall, after jumping 17 ranks in the standings in a Sunday surge. Despite a combined three-over final round from Michael Lee, Duangmanee and Chang, the Cavaliers were able to ride the first-round wave and rely on their star power to clinch the tournament with ease.
Though the tournament could have brought their skills to the test with the quality and quantity of the competition, Virginia did what it needed to do to win — play steady, composed golf through the highs and the lows. Their caliber of play paid off — the Cavaliers finished first in the invitational for the second time in two years and are the first team to win it three times.
Play continues for the Cavaliers starting Monday in the highly competitive East Lake Cup in Atlanta. In another 54-hole battle, Virginia will face a massive challenge against No. 4 Arizona State, No. 10 Florida and No. 12 Ole Miss, before their three-month break from competition in the winter.
