Alexander Repeats at Azalea Invitational
2010 Azalea Invitational champion
(Tracy Wilcox photo)
CHARLESTON, South Carolina (March 28, 2010) -- No one even came close to taking Tyson Alexander’s title away this weekend at the Azalea Invitational.
The Florida senior successfully defended his crown Sunday with a five-shot victory over Cory Whitsett, with his next-closest challengers finishing 13 shots back at the Country Club of Charleston (S.C.).
Alexander, who won last year’s Azalea by three shots, opened the week with consecutive 65s. He shot a final-round 5-under 66 for a 16-under 268 total, seven shots better than his winning total last year.
Alexander, No. 28 in the Golfweek/amateurgolf.com rankings, became the first back-to-back champion since Frank Ford III in 1992-93.
Alexander’s father, Florida coach Buddy Alexander, won the Azalea in 1976, 12 years before Tyson Alexander was born.
Alexander, currently 34th in the Golfweek/Sagarin Rankings, hasn’t finished worse than T-21 since the Gators’ second event of the fall. His best finishes include T-2 at the Southern Highlands Collegiate, T-3 at the Gator Invitational and T-7 at the Isleworth Invitational.
Whitsett, who will attend Alabama next fall, shot 67 to finish at 273. Earlier in the week, Whitsett lost in a playoff at the Monday qualifier for the Nationwide Tour’s Louisiana Open.
Charleston Southern sophomore Jacobo Postor (67) and junior Cheng-Tsung Pan (69) tied for third.
ABOUT THE Azalea Invitational
72-hole stroke play championship with a 54-hole cut
on a
1925
Seth Raynor design. Good mix of college
players, juniors
and mid amateurs. 7 spots available in a
qualifier.
Impressive list of past champions at this
traditional event. Reigning USGA champs often use
this tournament as a tune-up for the Masters.
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