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Undermanned Arkansas captures the SunTrust Gator Invitational
Arkansas sophomore Charles Kim <br>(Arkansas Athletics Photo)
Arkansas sophomore Charles Kim
(Arkansas Athletics Photo)

GAINESVILLE, FL (February 19, 2017) -- Playing without their best stick Alvaro Ortiz who has an undisclosed sickness Arkansas was still able to capture the SunTrust Gator Invitational. The victory for the 5-over Razorbacks was their second of the season after they claimed the Mountaineer Intercollegiate in October.

Leading the way for Arkansas was medalist winner Charles Kim. Pacing the field by three-strokes heading into the final round Kim was never able to pull away and he didn't secure the title until he rolled in a birdie putt on the 18th hole. The 54th hole birdie pushed Kim back to 6-under where he started the day and it gave him a one-stroke victory over Rory Franssen of Missouri.

Kim, a PING All-America honorable mention performer last year, signed for rounds of 68-66-70. The medalist title for Kim was the first of his career.

On Sunday Arkansas received a big lift from freshman Luis Garza who fired a 5-under 65 to match the round of the tournament. Garza finished the weekend 5-over and tied for 16th.

Mason Overstreet and Dylan Naidoo turned in 2-over final score rounds to account for the remainder of the Razorback final round tally.

In the teams standings both Missouri and Jacksonville finished second at 12-over, No. 2 Florida was fourth at 13-over while Florida State was fifth at 14-over.

Rounding out the top-five of the individual standings were Raul Pereda of Jacksonville (-2) in third while Florida State's Cristobal Del Solar (E) and Ryan Jahn (E) of Jacksonville shared fourth.

DAY ONE RECAP

After a 36-hole day Arkansas is pacing the field at the SunTrust Gator Invitational. Heading into the final round the Razorbacks are 6-over and five shots in front of Missouri.

Pacing Arkansas through the first two rounds is sophomore Charles Kim. Sitting at 6-under, Kim has a three-stroke lead following tallies of 68-66. Starting his second round on the 7th hole, Kim birdied his first three holes and then the 12th to reach 6-under for the tournament. Following his birdie on No. 12 it was all about holding on for Kim, a PING All-America honorable mention last year.

Kim bogyed the 15th and 18th holes and also the second but he was able to offset the dropped shots with first, third and fifth hole birdies.

Arkansas has also received top 10 play from Mason Overstreet who is 2-over and tied for eighth.

In the team standings Missouri's Rory Franssen is the only other player in red figures at 3-under and he is in second place. Four players are tied for third at even- par; Cristobal Del Solar (Florida State), Taylor Eyster (UAB), Phillip Knowles (North Florida) and Jorge Garcia (Florida).

Behind Arkansas and Missouri in the team standings it is No. 2 Florida (+13) in third, Jacksonville (+16) in fourth and Florida State (+18) in fifth.

Results: Florida Gators Invitational
1TXCharles KimCedar Park, TX60068-66-70=204
2ScotlandRory FranssenScotland40069-68-68=205
3MexicoRaul PeredaMexico30070-72-66=208
T4ChileCristobal Del SolarChile30065-75-70=210
T4FLRyan JahnJupiter, FL30072-71-67=210

View full results for Florida Gators Invitational

ABOUT THE Florida Gators Invitational

54 hole men's college tournament hosted by the University of Florida. Team (best four scores out of five players) and individual competitions.

View Complete Tournament Information

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