ANOTHER FINALS APPEARANCE: The Arizona State University men's golf team (NCAA #20 seed/#23 Golfweek/#24 Golfstat) competes in the NCAA Championships held May 26-31 at Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove, Ill. Sun Devil first-year head coach Matt Thurmond leads the Sun Devils, who under 2008 National Golf Coaches Association Hall of Fame inductee and Pac-12 Coach of the Century Randy Lein won the 1996 team title and won the 1990 title under 2002 ASU Hall of Fame and 2009 NGCA Hall of Fame inductee Steve Loy. It marks the 53rd NCAA Championship appearance for the program, which is fourth-best. ASU has now made the NCAA Finals in the 13 of the past 16 seasons and 31 of past 34.

As #ncaagolf teams try for @NCAA title, a reminder of only school to win both M/W in same year https://t.co/aV5YVwEDUb … @LSports_us pic.twitter.com/bV2j4xIihW

— ASUmensgolf (@asumensgolf) May 22, 2017

#FORKSUP FOR THE FRESHMEN: ASU is the only school in the 30-team field to have had three freshmen in its regional lineup and will be the only school to have three freshmen in the lineup once play begins in Illinois.
 

Since joining @pac12 in 1978-79, no school in nation has more #ncaagolf individual men's champions than @ASU https://t.co/QhQdsOZaI7 pic.twitter.com/Ew8JZPbtGG

— ASUmensgolf (@asumensgolf) May 23, 2017

REMINDER: Sun Devil first-year head coach Matt Thurmond coached James Lepp to the 2005 NCAA individual title, while also tutoring Cheng-Tsuung Pan (2015) and Nick Taylor (2008) to second-place NCAA finishes during his 15-year Husky tenure. Coach Thurmond also led UW to match-play quarterfinals in 2009, 2010 and 2012 and led the Huskies to six top-20 finishes prior to match play. He led UW to 12 top-20 NCAA finishes overall in 15 seasons, including third-place in 2005.
 

TEE TIMES: ASU will tee with Pepperdine and Florida State at 7:07 a.m. CT/5:07 a.m. PT off No. 1 on May 26 and then off No. 10 at 12:27 p.m. CT/10:27 a.m. PT on May 27.

NO ONE BETTER RECENTLY: This season marks the 14th anniversary of Sun Devil freshman Alejandro Canizares winning the 2003 title, the 24th anniversary of Todd Demsey winning the 1993 title, the 25th anniversary of Phil Mickelson winning the last of his three titles and the 34th anniversary of Jim Carter winning the 1983 title. ASU has had four NCAA medalists on six occasions as Carter (1983), Phil Mickelson (1989, 1990, 1992), Demsey (1993), and Canizares (2003) all have taken home the trophy in the past 34 seasons. No other program can match the Sun Devils' six NCAA champions since 1979, as only Oklahoma State (five), Illinois (two), Stanford (two), and UNLV (two) have had multiple winners in that time.

THE FORMAT: The 2017 NCAA Championships will see the team champion determined via match play for the ninth straight year, as 2009 was the first time the winner wasn't awarded by total strokes since 1965. The top 15 teams after 54 holes of stroke play will advance for one additional day of stroke play to determine the top eight teams for match play competition and the 72-hole stroke play individual champion. The top eight teams after 72 holes of play will compete in match play quarterfinals and semifinals on May 30. The championship match is set for May 31.

CHAMPS FROM THE PAC-12: Pac-12 teams ASU (1990, 1996), Cal (2004), Stanford (2007 and 1994), UCLA (2008) and Oregon (2016) have won NCAA men's golf titles in the past 27 years. Other Pac-12 teams to win the title are: Stanford (1938, 1939, 1941, 1942, 1946, 1953), UCLA (1988) and Arizona (1992). MEDALISTS FROM ASU/PAC-12: ASU has had four NCAA medalists on six occasions: Jim Carter (1983), Phil Mickelson (1989, 1990, 1992), Todd Demsey (1993) and Ale- jandro Canizares (2003). Other Pac-12 winners include: Frank Tatum Jr. of Stanford (1942), Scott Simpson of USC (1976 and 1977), Ron Commans of USC (1981), Tiger Woods of Stanford (1996), James Lepp of Washington (2005), Jamie Lovemark of USC (2007), Kevin Chappell of UCLA (2008), Max Homa of California (2013), Cameron Wilson of Stanford (2014) and Aaron Wise of Oregon (2016).

NCAA CHAMPIONS: A look at the schools that have produced the most NCAA individual champions and the year the most recent champion took home the title:
PHIL NOTES: Only Phil Mickelson (1989, 1990, 1992) and Ben Crenshaw of Texas (1971-73) have won three NCAA men's golf individual titles. Also, Phil's 16-under 128 in 1992 remains the best score through two rounds.

PAST 38: Dating to when ASU joined the Pac-10 in 1978-79 38 seasons ago, no school in the nation has had more NCAA individual champions than Arizona State's six. Oklahoma State has had five winners in that time, while Illinois, UNLV and Stanford have had two each.

THUNDERBIRD INVITATIONAL VICTORY: ASU, led by two freshmen, posted its second win of head coach Matt Thurmond's first season with a convincing 41-under 811 (266-265-280) victory at the 45th annual Thunderbird Invitational at ASU's Karsten Golf Course on March 18-19. ASU won by 20 strokes over UNLV, while the Sun Devil "B" team also played well, finishing third with an 18-under 834 (280-276-278). Two freshmen led the way, as Chun An Yu and Blake Wagoner each posted top-five finishes. Chun An Yu tied for second at 12-under 201 while Wagoner finished fourth at 11-under 202.

YU!...IS THE WINNER: In just his third college tournament, freshman Chun An Yu took home the individual medal at the National Invitational Tournament in Tucson after shooting an 8-under 64 in the final round on Feb. 28. It marked the third individual medalist for head coach Matt Thurmond's squad. Ranked No. 16 in the World Amateur Golf Rankings at the time, An Yu shot a tournament-best 8-under on the par-4 holes and 10-under on the par-5 holes. He posted 32 pars, 18 birdies and one eagle. An Yu became became just the third Sun Devil freshman to win a tournament since Alejandro Canizares won the 2003 NCAA title. Jon Rahm won two tournaments in 2012-13, while Jesper Kennegard won the Hawai Hilo Intercollegiate in 2008. Prior to Canizares winning the NCAA title and the National Invitational in 2003, freshman Paul Casey won the 1998 USC Southwestern Invitational, the Pac-10 title and the NCAA West Regional.

JARED WEARING KHAKIS WITH A TROPHY: Captain Jared du Toit took home the individual medal at The Prestige at PGA West on Feb. 22, as the senior shot a 9-under 204 at the Greg Norman Course in La Quinta, Calif. He beat some of the best in the nation, as the then top-ranked collegiate player in the nation according to Golfweek was Maverick McNealy, who finished tied for 18th at 1-over 214. Golfweek's third-ranked collegian was Sam Burns, who finished second at 5-under 209, as du Toit  shot 3-under on the par-3 holes and 4-under on the par-4 holes. He had 13 birdies (tied for second) and one eagle en route to the win.

TEAM WIN IN FAIRFAX: ASU came back on the final day with an 11-under 273 to win the Alister MacKenzie Invitational in Fairfax, Calif., on Oct. 11, while senior Ki Taek Lee earned co-medalist honors with a 15-under 198 (66-64-68). The team win ended California's dominance as it had won its own tournament the past seven years. ASU shot 30-under on the par-5 holes and had five eagles to lead the tournament in both categories, with Lee and senior Jared du Toit carding two each and Blake Wagoner the other. ASU shot 31-under 821 (275-273-273) to top Oregon State's 25-under 827.

ASU NCAA TOP FIVE FINISHES (1983-PRESENT)
Alejandro Canizares (Fr.) 1st/2003 (Stillwater, Okla.)
Todd Demsey (So.), 1st/1993 (Lexington, Ky.)
Phil Mickelson (Sr.), 1st/1992 (Albuquerque, N.M.)
Phil Mickelson (So.), 1st/1990 (Tarpon Springs, Fla.)
Phil Mickelson (Fr.), 1st/1989 (Edmond, Okla.)
Jim Carter (Jr.), 1st/1983 (Fresno, Calif.)
Jon Rahm (Fr.), T2nd/2013 (Atlanta, Ga.)
Jon Rahm (Sr.), T3rd/2016 (Eugene, Ore.)
Darren Angel (Fr.), T3rd/1996 (Chattanooga, Tenn.)
Chez Reavie (Fr.), T4th/2001 (Durham, N.C.)
Phil Mickelson (Jr.), T4th/1991 (Pebble Beach, Calif.)
Paul Casey (So.), 4th/1999 (Chaska, Minn.)
Joey Snyder (Jr.), T5th/1995 (Columbus, Ohio)

ASU NCAA TOP-10 FINISHES (1983-PRESENT)
Jon Rahm (Sr.), T3rd/2016 (Eugene, Ore.)
Jon Rahm (Fr.), T2nd/2013 (Atlanta, Ga.)
Jesper Kennegard (So.), T9th/2009 (Toledo, Ohio)
Alejandro Canizares (Fr.) 1st/2003 (Stillwater, Okla.)
Chez Reavie (Jr.), 9th/2003 (Stillwater, Okla.)
Chez Reavie (Fr.), T4th/2001 (Durham, N.C.)
Paul Casey (So.), 4th/1999 (Chaska, Minn.)
Darren Angel (Jr.), T7th/1998 (Albuquerque, N.M.)
Scott Johnson (Sr.), T10th/1997 (Chicago, Ill.)
Chris Hanell (Sr.), T10th/1997 (Chicago, Ill.)
Darren Angel (Fr.), T3rd/1996 (Chattanooga, Tenn.)
Joey Snyder (Jr.), T5th/1995 (Columbus, Ohio)
Scott Johnson (So.), T8th/1995 (Columbus, Ohio
Todd Demsey (Jr.), T7th/1994 (Dallas, Texas)
Chris Hanell (Fr.), T10th/1994 (Dallas, Texas)
Todd Demsey (So.), 1st/1993 (Lexington, Ky.)
Phil Mickelson (Sr.), 1st/1992 (Albuquerque, N.M.)
Phil Mickelson (Jr.), T4th/1991 (Pebble Beach, Calif.)
Phil Mickelson (So.), 1st/1990 (Tarpon Springs, Fla.)
Phil Mickelson (Fr.), 1st/1989 (Edmond, Okla.)
Billy Mayfair (Sr.), T9th/1988 (Westlake Village, Calif.)
Jim Carter (Jr.), 1st/1983 (Fresno, Calif.)

SUN DEVIL NCAA FINISHES YEAR-BY-YEAR (PAC-12/10 ERA; 1978-79 TO PRESENT)
2016: 9th
2015: T-24th
2014: DNC
2013: T-5th (0-1 match play)
2012: DNC
2011: 18th
2010: T-8th
2009: T-5th (0-1 match play)
2008: T-17th
2007: T-18th
2006: 11th
2005: T-11th
2004: T-21st
2003: 6th
2002: DNC
2001: 6th
2000: T-25th
1999: 5th
1998: 5th
1997: T-5th
1996: 1st
1995: 4th
1994: T-9th
1993: 6th
1992: 2nd
1991: 3re
1990: 1st
1989: 5th
1988: 10th
1987: 16th
1986: 8th
1985: 11th
1984: 9th
1983: DNC
1982: 3rd
1981: 5th
1980: T-20th
1979: 8th

JARED DU TOIT 2016-17 ROUND-BY-ROUND
OFCC/Fighting Illini Invite 81-72-72=225/+15/T-48
Alister MacKenzie Invitational 68-65-67=200/-13/T-4
Tavistock Collegiate 72-70-69=211/-5/T-7
Princeville Invitational 69-69-71=209/-7/T-6
Amer Ari Invitational 64-70-66=200/-16/T-1
The Prestige at PGA West 67-67-70=204/-9/1
National Invitational 70-67-74=211/-5/T-11
Southern Highlands Collegiate 71-71-69=211/-5/T-3
ASU Thunderbird Invitational 64-70-70=204/-9/5
Western Intercollegiate 68-76-73=217/+7/T-30
Pac-12 Championship 70-74-73=217/+7/T-17
NCAA Austin Regional 74-69-68=211/-2/T-10

JARED DU TOIT 2015-16 ROUND-BY-ROUND
Fighting Illini Invitational 73-73-72=218 (+8/T27)
The Jackrabbit 76-69-73=218 (+2/T14)
Alister Mackenzie Invitational 67-68-68=203 (-10/T8)
Tavistock Collegiate 74-77-72=223 (+7/T28)
Amer Ari Invitational 71-67-72=210 (-6/T10)
Prestige at PGA West 68-68-73=209 (-4/7)
Southern Highlands Masters 75-71-75=221 (+5/T19)
Lamkin Grips SD Classic 71-72-72=215 (-1/8)
ASU Thunderbird Invitational 74-67-72=213 (E/T17)
Western Intercollegiate 67-69-74=210 (E/T12)
Pac-12 Championship 69-70-72-77=288 (+4/T19)
NCAA regional 72-73-75=220 (+4/T5)
NCAA Championship 72-73-71-74=290 (+10/T45)

ALEJANDRO DEL REY GONZALEZ 2016-17 ROUND-BY-ROUND
OFCC/Fighting Illini Invite 76-70-73=219/+9/T-29
Alister MacKenzie Invitational 68-76-70=214/+1/T-48
Tavistock Collegiate 71-79-70=220/+4/T-23
Princeville Invitational 72-68-76=216/E/T-22
Amer Ari Invitational 74-70-67=211/-5/T-22
NIT Invitational 69-66-75=210/-6/T-8
Southern Highlands Collegiate 75-74-76=225/+9/T-42
ASU Thunderbird Invitational 74-69-70=213/E/T-27
Western Intercollegiate 70-66-77=213/+3/T-11
Pac-12 Championship 75-81-69=225/+15/T-52
NCAA Austin Regional 71-71-68=210/-3/T-5

BLAKE WAGONER 2016-17 ROUND-BY-ROUND
OFCC/Fighting Illini Invite 78-74-77=229/+19/T-60
Alister MacKenzie Invitational 73-69-68=210/-3/T-27
Tavistock Collegiate 72-73-74=219/+3/T-20
Princeville Invitational 75-71-74=220/+4/T-41
Amer Ari Invitational 78-74-72=224/+8/T-96
The Prestige at PGA West 73-75-72=220/+7/T-32
National Invitational 73-70-76=219/+3/T-41
ASU Thunderbird Invitational 67-63-72=202/-11/4
Western Intercollegiate 74-77-75=226/+16/T-71
Pac-12 Championship 77-68-73=218/+8/T-20
NCAA Austin Regional 75-77-70=222/+9/T-45

CHUN AN YU 2016-17 ROUND-BY-ROUND
Amer Ari Invitational 71-68-71=210/-6/T-20
The Prestige at PGA West 79-75-74=228/+15/T-63
NIT Invitational 68-67-64=199/-17/1
Southern Highlands Collegiate 77-75-74=226/+10/T-46
ASU Thunderbird Invitational 67-63-71=201/-12/T-2
Western Intercollegiate 74-66-79=219/+9/T-39
Pac-12 Championship 71-75-70=216/+6/T-14
NCAA Austin Regional 71-77-70=218/+5/T-28

JINO SOHN 2016-17 ROUND-BY-ROUND
The Prestige at PGA West 76-73-72=221/+8/T-39
ASU Thunderbird Invitational 68-66-72=206/-7/T-6
Western Intercollegiate 71-71-76=218/+8/T-35
Pac-12 Championship 73-77-75=225/+15/T-52
NCAA Austin Regional 74-76-74=224/+11/T-54

JINO SOHN 2015-16 ROUND-BY-ROUND
Western Intercollegiate 76-75-79=230/+20/T-73

SUN DEVIL TEAM 2016-17 SCORES
OFCC/Fighting Illini Invite 302-289-291=882/+42/T-11
Alister MacKenzie Invitational 275-273-273=821/-31/1
Tavistock Collegiate 288-292-287=867/+3/3
Princeville Invitational 294-278-290=862/-2/4
Amer Ari Invitational 286-279-276=841/-23/T-4
The Prestige at PGA West 288-289-288=865/+13/8
National Invitational 280-270-287=837/-27/T-2
Southern Highlands Collegiate 304-296-295-895/+31/11
ASU Thunderbird Invitational 266-265-280=811/-41/1
Western Intercollegiate 357-356-376=1,089/+39/10
Pac-12 Championship 362-374-356=1092/+42/6
NCAA Austin Regional 290-293-276=859/+7/5