Shimp, Cardinal Soar On Final Day
SANTA ROSA, Calif. - It was an incredible final day at the 2021 Pac-12 Championships for Stanford men's golf on Wednesday. Senior Henry Shimp shot a career-best 8-under 64 to force a playoff, while the team fired a 24-under 336 to move to within six strokes of the championship. Ultimately, Shimp would fall on the second playoff hole to Arizona's Brad Reeves, with the Wildcats prevailing for the team title, as well.
Entering the day, Shimp's best career round was a 4-under 66 last time out at the 2021 Western Intercollegiate. He blew past that, overcoming a four-stroke deficit to start the day with his 64, the 11th-best round in school history. On the day, Shimp had seven birdies and an eagle, recording an eagle-three on the 18th hole to move into the solo lead at 16-under. Shimp's 64 tied Zack Miller for the Mayacama Golf Club scoring record.
Arizona's Reeves would birdie his 18th and final hole, though, to force the playoff. After playing No. 1 to begin the playoff, Shimp made par on the par-5 18th while Reeves made birdie to win the individual title.
As a team, Stanford's 24-under was the second best score in not only school history, but Pac-12 Championships history, behind a 25-under posted by the Cardinal at the 2020 Championships. Stanford was not only bolstered by Shimp's career day, but also freshman Michael Thorbjornsen's career-best, 7-under 65. Thorbjornsen's previous best collegiate round was a 3-under 67 at the 2021 Goodwin. Sophomore Barclay Brown fired a 5-under 67 for Stanford on Wednesday, a day after a tough 8-over 81.
All five Cardinal scorers were under par on the day, with Ethan Ng posting a 3-under, while Nate Menon and Karl Vilips came in with 1-under 71s.
Stanford now awaits to learn its postseason fate when the selections to NCAA Regionals are announced on Wednesday, May 5 at 11 a.m. PT on GOLF Channel.
Pac-12 Championships (Mayacama Golf Club, par 72)
| Name | Round 1 | Round 2 | Round 3 | Round 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3. Stanford | 358 (-2) | 357 (-3) | 354 (-6) | 336 (-24) | 1,405 (-35) |
| 2. Henry Shimp | 71 (-1) | 69 (-3) | 68 (-4) | 64 (-8) | 272 (-16) |
| T13. Michael Thorbjornsen | 75 (+3) | 72 (E) | 70 (-2) | 65 (-7) | 282 (-6) |
| T17. Ethan Ng | 68 (-4) | 73 (+1) | 73 (+1) | 69 (-3) | 283 (-5) |
| T37. Nate Menon | 74 (+2) | 71 (-1) | 73 (+1) | 71 (-1) | 289 (+1) |
| T40. Karl Vilips | 71 (-1) | 78 (+7) | 70 (-2) | 71 (-1) | 290 (+2) |
| T49. Barclay Brown | 74 (+2) | 72 (E) | 81 (+9) | 67 (-5) | 294 (+6) |