Rottluff, ASU Take Home Titles at Arizona Intercollegiate

By Lindsay Gaesser, SDA Media Relations

Tucson, Ariz.—Led by junior Max Rottluff, the Arizona State men’s golf team took home its first team title of the season Tuesday at the 2015 Arizona Intercollegiate.  The Sun Devils shot a 12-under 840 (286-277-277) through three rounds at the par-71, 7,262-yard Sewailo Golf Club in Tucson, Ariz.

“I’m very happy for the guys as they are seeing their hard work pay off,” said ASU head coach Tim Mickelson.  “Any team win is a great one, but to have everyone shoot under par in the final round is an awesome and rare thing.”

Second-place UTEP was the only other team under par, finishing 11 strokes back from ASU.  The Sun Devils carded the most birdies (63) of the tournament and led the 15-team field in par-4 holes.  No. 21 California tied for fourth while No. 20 New Mexico took sixth. 

ABOUT THE TITLE:  This is ASU’s first outright team title, outside of the Thunderbird Invitational, since the Olympia Fields Invitational in Chicago, Ill., back on September 18-20, 2009.  ASU also tied for first at the Bill Cullum Invitational on Sept. 17-18, 2011, under Coach Tim Mickelson.    

ASU TEAM TOURNAMENT VICTORIES UNDER TIM MICKELSON (FALL 2011- PRESENT)
2014-15: 2015 Arizona Intercollegiate (Jan. 26-27, 2015)
2013-14: ASU Thunderbird Invitational (Mar. 21-23, 2014)
2011-12: Bill Cullum Invitational (tied for team title but no playoff) (Sept. 17-18, 2011)
 
Winning his second individual title of the season, Rottluff was 7-under on par-4 holes and carded the most birdies (15) of the tournament.  Teammates Nicolo Galletti and Alberto Sanchez were a close second with 14 birdies each.  

SUN DEVIL MEDALISTS UNDER TIM MICKELSON (FALL 2011-PRESENT)
Max Rottluff (Jr.), 2015 Arizona Intercollegiate (Jan. 26-27, 2015)
Jon Rahm (Jr.), Bill Cullum Invitational (Oct. 20-21, 2014)
Max Rottluff (Jr.), Alister MacKenzie Invitational (Oct. 13-14, 2014)
Jon Rahm (So.), 2014 ASU Thunderbird Invitational (Mar. 21-13, 2014)
Jon Rahm (Fr.), 2013 San Diego Classic (Mar. 11-12, 2013)
Jon Rahm (Fr.), 2012 Bill Cullum Invitational (Oct. 21-22, 2012)
Spencer Fletcher (Sr./co-medalist), 2011 Bill Cullum Invitational (Sept. 17-18, 2011)

After carding a 1-under 72 in the first round on Monday, Rottluff scorched the second round with six birdies and a career-low 65 to give him a three-stroke lead heading into Tuesday’s round.  The junior continued this momentum through the final 18, recording six more birdies and finishing at 10-under 203 (70-65-68). 

“I'm thrilled for Max earning his second win of the season,” said Mickelson. 

MAX ROTTLUFF ROUND-BY-ROUND 2014-15
Itani Quality Homes Collegiate 68-70-69=207/-3/6th
Alister MacKenzie Invitational 68-66-70=204/-9/1st
Bill Cullum Invite 67-71-73=211/-5/T-7th
Warrior Princeville Makai Invite 73-70-67=210/-6/T-19th
2015 Arizona Intercollegiate 70-65-68=203/-10/1st

Galletti also cracked the top 10 on the individual leader board.  With a 3-under 210 (70-70-70), the sophomore tied for sixth and recorded his second top-10 finish of the season. 

Shooting a 2-over 215 (73-72-70), freshman Tobias Eden recorded his fourth top-20 finish of the season.  Improving his score each round, Eden placed 20th overall.   

After posting a 73 in the first round, Sanchez had a rocky second round with multiple bogeys and double bogeys.  The junior rebounded in the final round with a 2-under 69.  Through three rounds, Sanchez recorded a 5-over 218 (73-76-69), tying him for 27th. 

Rounding out the Sun Devil lineup, senior Ben Shur tied for 36th with a tournament total of 7-over 220 (80-70-70).  Shur carded an eagle on the eighth hole in Tuesday’s round.

“I was excited to see what Ben Shur could do in his first event as a team member,” said Mickelson.  “After a rough start, he played like a veteran the final 36 holes of the event. I'm very happy for him.”

Golfing as an individual, senior Broc Johnson tied for 42nd place with an 8-over 221 (71-71-79) through 54 holes.  Johnson’s first-round 71 gave him a new season-low.    

“I'm proud of this group of guys that we have,” added Mickelson.  “This is just the start of what’s going to be a very special spring semester.”    

Next up, the Sun Devils head to Hawai’i for the Amer Ari Invitational, hosted by Hawai’i and UH-Hilo.  The tournament will take place Feb. 5-6, at the Waikoloa Kings Course in Waikoloa.