South Florida grabs American Athletic Conference Championship title

LECANTO, Fla. — The University of South Florida Bulls had three players finish inside the top-10 at The American Championship, including a medalist performance from senior Ryan Fricker, as the Bulls claimed their second conference title in the last three years. The tournament, which is the conference championship for the newly-formed American Athletic Conference, was held April 26-28 at Black Diamond Ranch Golf Club in Lecanto, Florida. Fricker, of England, posted rounds of 67-67-71 en route to his individual title, won by two shots over defending champion Bryson DeChambeau of Southern Methodist. DeChambeau, the junior from Clovis, Calif., came roaring back from rounds of 71 and 72 to fire a 64 on day three — the lowest round of the tournament. DeChambeau's Mustangs, who won last year's event, settled for a second place finish by six shots over the University of Central Florida. The winning Bulls, despite Fricker's medalist honor, were truly a team effort, as all five golfers completed the championship inside of the top-20, including a third-place finish from senior Trey Valentine and a seventh-place finish from junior Chase Koepka. Koepka, the brother of PGA Tour player Brooks Koepka, recovered nicely from a 73 in the first round to post 70-69. Valentine also struggled in round one, shooting 74, before carding 68-67 to close the event.