The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
Gator Invitational
McDowell Wins Gator Invitational
2/10/2002 12:00:00 AM | Men's Golf
Feb. 10, 2002
GAINSVILLE, Fla. - UAB's Graeme McDowell fired a final round 2-under par 68 Sunday to win the 25th annual Sun Trust Gator Invitational, held at the par 70, 6, 701-yard University of Florida Golf Course. The Blazers finished in a tie for second, one stroke back of medalist LSU.
McDowell managed to hold onto his first day's lead and capture top spot honors with a 10-under par 200 total. He won by four strokes over Nathan Goulding of LSU (69-67-68/204) and Clint Provost of Alabama (69-68-67/204).
In the team competition, the Blazers shot a final round 291 to drop back into a tie for second place after leading the event for the first two rounds. The Blazers finished with 847, putting them in a tie with Purdue and host Florida. LSU, who was tied for third after day one, fired a final round 280 to take over the lead and capture the win by one stroke with an 846 total.
The round of the tournament came from Purdue as they shot a final round 10-under par 270, the lowest of the tournament, to move from eighth place to a tie for second.
Junior Daniel Ozley finished in a tie for 10th after firing a final round 73. Ozley shot rounds of 68-71-73 for a 2-over par 212. Finishing at 4-over par 214, sophomore Chad Goodwin (70-72-72/214) finished in a tie for 16th. Senior Craig Gordon (71-72-78/221) finished in a tie for 44th and freshman Blake Mozley (76-75-78/229) rounded out the Blazer squad in a tie for 71st.
The first place finish marks the third tournament win of the year for McDowell and the sixth of his career. In the fall, he captured the titles at the Topy Cup in Fukushima, Japan with a 10-under par 206 and the Country Club of Louisiana Intercollegiate with a tournament record 12-under par 204.
McDowell is currently ranked ninth in the Golfweek/Sagarin Performance Index poll and the Blazers are 27th. The Blazers are also ranked 20th in the GCAA Coaches Poll.
The Blazers will be back in action on March 4-5 at the Western Intercollegiate in Los Angeles, Calif.
