PLAYERS TO WATCH

Wenyi Ding of Arizona State leads the players in the field, currently ranked No. 8 in the Golfweek/AmateurGolf.com World Rankings. Preston Summerhays is ranked No. 13, while Drew Goodman of Oklahoma is ranked No. 22 to lead the Sooners. 

Santiago De La Fuente of Houston is ranked No. 38, but he will miss this tournament to participate in the 88th Masters Tournament.

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LAST YEAR

Arizona State and Preston Summerhays took the team and individual titles last year at Papago Golf Club. After rounds of 66-68-66 to finish at 13-under, Summerhays claimed medalist honors by four shots over a trio of Arizona Wildcats, Chase Sienkiewicz, Sam Sommerhauser, and Zach Pollo, who was playing as an individual. Summerhays joins a list of past Thunderbird champions that includes Jon Rahm, Phil Mickelson, Paul Casey, Steve Jones.

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Arizona State trailed by seven shots heading into the back nine, but mounted a fuoris comenack, including two birdies on the final two holes to secure the team win by one shot over Arizona. The team made 15 birdies on the final nine holes to catch their rival Wildcats. 

COURSE

Nestled in the heart of Papago Park, surrounded by the Arizona desert's natural beauty and framed by the stunning Papago Buttes, Papago is a golfing haven in Arizona just under two miles from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. Conveniently situated where Phoenix, Tempe, and Scottsdale meet, it's a prime spot for golf enthusiasts. The course was created by William Francis (Billy) Bell, the genius behind San Diego's famed Torrey Pines.

Arizona State Athletics contributed to this report