Pokes Win Again, this time at Valspar Collegiate

PALM BEACH, FL (March 20, 2018) - For the sixth straight tournament and the seventh time overall the Oklahoma State Cowboys have won a tournament. This time it was the Valspar Collegiate. It wasn't easy for the Pokes on Tuesday after starting the day 12-shots ahead but in the end the No. 1 team in the nation was able to finish 12-under and five-strokes in front of No. 20 Florida State (-7). In third it was No. 2 Texas A&M (-2), fourth was taken by No. 8 Georgia Tech (E) while Duke (+2) and No. 10 Baylor (+2) shared fifth. With Tuesday's win Oklahoma State has now won six straight tournaments for the third time in program history matching the mark set by the 1974-75 and 1975-76 teams. They are now one win shy of tying the school record of seven done in 1986-87. Leading Oklahoma State was first time medalist winner Viktor Hovland. The sophomore started the final round two ahead and pulled away with a 3-under 68 to post 13-under and a four-stroke victory. After rounds of 67-65 Hovland closed with a five birdie, two bogey round. On the final day Hovland's birdies came in bunches with three in a row falling between Nos. 5-7 and two in a row coming on the 15th and 16th holes. Besides Hovland two other Pokes earned top-20 finishes; Matthew Wolff (T9; -1) and Zach Bauchou (T18; +1). Rounding out the top-five of the individual standings were John Pak (-9) of Florida State in second with Duke's Alex Smalley (-7), Matthew Perrine (-7) of Baylor and Texas A&M's Dan Erickson sharing fifth 36-HOLE RECAP Oklahoma State is once again in prime position to find themselves in the winners circle. After two rounds at the Valspar Collegiate the top-ranked ranked Cowboys are 17-under and 12-strokes in front of second-place No. 10 Baylor (-5). If Oklahoma State were able to hold on and win Tuesday at the Floridian the victory would be their seventh title in eight events this season and sixth straight. Currently three players are inside the top-10 for Oklahoma State, paced by medalist leader Viktor Hovland. With rounds of 67-65 thus far the sophomore is 10-under and two clear of the field. On Monday Hovland played a near flawless round of golf with six birdies, an eagle and two bogeys. Hovland, looking for his first career win, played Nos. 10-16 in 5-under as he birdied six-times on the second nine. His eagle came on the par-5 7th. Also in the top-10 for Oklahoma State are Matthew Wolff (T6; -4) and Zach Bauchou (T8; -3). The top-five of the team standings is rounded out by No. 20 Florida State (-4) and No. Texas A&M (-4) shared third while No. 12 LSU (-2) is fifth. Trying to track down Hovland in the medalist race are Matthew Perrine (Baylor) at 8-under while Alex Smalley (Duke), Scottie Scheffler (Texas A&M) and Dan Erickson (Texas A&M) are sharing third at 6-under.