Pak leads Seminoles to another team title in Mobile

Florida State has won two consecutive titles to start 2019, but in slightly different ways. Even though inclement weather wiped out the final round of the Mobile Sports Authority Intercollegiate, it didn’t matter for the Seminoles. They had already reached 23 under as a team on a 36-hole Monday at Magnolia Grove Crossing in Mobile, Ala., to seal the victory.

They just didn’t know it yet.

The weather made Tuesday’s final round unplayable in Mobile. Florida State’s opening day had left them five shots ahead of Louisville. When the final round was cancelled, Florida State took home its second title of the spring.

For the second week in a row, sophomore John Pak was a big player in Florida State’s success. He put together rounds of 70-63 on Monday to dive to 11 under and win his fourth career title by four shots.

Pak, at No. 26 in the Golfweek/Sagarin College Rankings, has quickly become one of college golf’s toughest players. He’s a thoughtful, calculating player, as we reported after a September win at the Rod Myers Invitational, and it’s paying off.

“John Pak winning his second straight golf tournament heading into our home tournament is a new thing for John’s growth,” head coach Trey Jones said. “We’re looking forward to seeing how he prepares for and handles the next event. We hope to get a good crowd and get a lot of people to come out to our only home tournament of the year at Golden Eagle Country Club.”

Led by Pak’s 63 in Monday’s afternoon round, Florida State went 17 under. In addition to Pak’s bogey-free round, Jamie Li added a 68 and Calvin Sierota added 69.

Over the final nine holes, Florida State’s counters didn’t log a single bogey.

“It was another great effort by our golf team today,” Jones said. “Playing the back nine without a single bogey from the counting scores shows a testament to their shorts games, course management and execution. Shooting 17-under (in the second round) is something we’ll certainly enjoy.”

Pak and the Seminoles will get a chance to defend another tournament title as they host the Seminole Intercollegiate Feb. 23-24 at Golden Eagle Country Club in Tallahassee.