Michigan
NCAA Central Regional
Thompson Wraps Career with 19th-Place Finish at NCAA Regional
5/19/2012 12:00:00 AM | Men's Golf
Site: Ann Arbor, Mich.
Course: U-M Golf Course (par 71, 6,723 yards)
Tournament: NCAA Central Regional
U-M Team Standing: No Team Score
Top U-M Individual: Matt Thompson, tie-19th (71-69-73/213, E)
U-M Next Event: Season Complete
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- University of Michigan men's golf senior Matt Thompson (Battle Creek, Mich./Lakeview HS) posted a final-round one-over 73 today (Saturday, May 19) to close his NCAA Central Regional with an even-par 213 total to tie for 19th, closing his season and U-M career at the U-M Golf Course.
After opening Thursday's (May 17) first round with an even-par 71, Thompson quickly found himself about the top 15 individually. With four birdies to begin his second round, he moved into the top 12 after Friday's (May 18) round following a second-round two-under 69.
Coming into the final round with just four players ahead of him for the lone individual spot for the NCAA Finals, Thompson began his final round at the U-M Golf Course off the back nine. After a bogey on the par-5 11th hole, he churned out seven straight pars to make the turn one over. Another bogey on the par-5 first hole put him two over. As he settled into the front side, back-to-back birdies on Nos. 6 and 7 drew him even with just two to play. Tough pins on the closing two holes gave him closing bogeys as he finished his Michigan career with a 73 to give him an even-par 213 total and his eighth top-20 performance of the season.
Overall, USC used an 11-under 841 total to take the regional title and Oregon closed as the runner-up at 842. Kent State (844), Virginia (846) and TCU (849) rounded out the top five advancing to the NCAA Finals at the Riviera Country Club in Los Angeles, Calif., Tuesday through Sunday (May 29-June 3).
Final Team Standings
1. USC 289-272-280 = 841 (-11)
2. Oregon 288-274-280 = 842
3. Kent State 286-276-282 = 844
4. Virginia 287-281-278 = 846
5. TCU 278-284-287 = 849
6. Notre Dame 291-278-290 = 859
N.C. State 290-282-287 = 859
8. Oklahoma State 290-283-290 = 863
9. Kennesaw State 287-290-291 = 868
10. Purdue 291-293-291 = 875
11. Baylor 296-297-289 = 882
12. Ohio State 305-297-293 = 895
13. Navy 322-306-303 = 931
Top Individuals
1. Albin Choi, N.C. State 69-66-68 = 203 (-10)
2. Ben Kohles, Virginia 71-65-70 = 206
Sebastian MacLean, Xavier 68-70-68 = 206*
Daniel Miernicki, Oregon 71-65-70 = 206
5. Julien Brun, TCU 67-68-72 = 207
Peter Williamson, Dartmouth 72-68-67 = 207*
7. Max Scodro, Notre Dame 70-69-69 = 208
Patrick Winther, Oklahoma State 70-66-72 = 208
Jonathan Woo, Oregon 72-66-70 = 208
10. Jeffrey Kang, USC 75-67-67 = 209
Michigan Individual
T19. Matt Thompson* 71-69-73 = 213
* Played as an individual
NOTES
• Matt Thompson closed his career playing in 49 career events, with 46 starts -- including a consecutive start streak of 43 events. He closes his career with 27 top-20 finishes, 13 top-10 and seven top-five, including one win at the 2011 Windon Memorial Classic.
• With his 72.06 season average, Thompson posted the second-best single-season average for a Wolverine in the stroke-play era. He already holds the top spot after his 72.00 average in 2009-10. Overall, Thompson finished his career as U-M's all-time leader in scoring average with a 72.79 per-round mark.
• Thompson played in the NCAA postseason all four years at Michigan after three team appearances in 2009, 2010 and 2011 and his individual appearance this year. He helped the Wolverines to the NCAA Finals and a semifinal finish in 2009, and to the 2011 NCAA Central Regional team title.
• In the 54-hole regional, Thompson posted 38 pars, eight birdies and eight bogeys.
QUOTES
Michigan Head Coach Chris Whitten
On Matt Thompson and the NCAA Central Regional ... "It's special for us to get to host and showcase Michigan and for Matt to get to play in front of his friends and family is a pretty special way for him to finish up. I was happy that they got to see him since we really don't play at home that often. It turned it well for everybody."
On what Thompson has meant to Michigan ... "Matt is a tremendous person and has meant way more to this program than his good scores, even though statistically he might be the best player since Michigan golf started stroke play. But more than that, he did it the right way and really set a good example for the other guys with how to prepare and how to lead, so we're going to miss him for a lot of reasons."
U-M Senior Matt Thompson
On the NCAA Central Regional ... "For the most part I felt like I played pretty well. I got off to a good start the first two rounds and I gave myself a chance. I didn't start out so well today. I would have liked to get out on a run early or at the end, but the regional was great. It was a great to play in. At least I got to finish at my home course where everyone has been around and it was nice having everyone out here. The course was great. Everything was perfect. I would have liked to play a little better, but it was still a good finish."
On his legacy at Michigan ... "It's just an honor to even be talked about that way. For me to be up with Lion (Kim) and the many, many of others who have come before me and made a name for themselves is just an honor. Honestly, I haven't quite put it into perspective. I'm sure a few weeks from now it will all start to sink in."
On his future plans ... "I am going to most likely be turning pro for the Michigan Open. That will be my first tournament. That's the plan. Then, kind of play here and there throughout the summer, then start full time next year, maybe down in North Carolina."
Players Mentioned
