The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
Atlanta Intercollegiate
McDowell Makes it Three Straight at Atlanta Intercollegiate
5/10/2002 12:00:00 AM | Men's Golf
May 10, 2002
ATLANTA, Ga. - It's beginning to become nothing more than routine for UAB All-American golfer Graeme McDowell. And, on this Friday, it was a career routine at that.
The two-time reigning Conference USA Golfer of the Year made it six tournament titles for 2002, as McDowell shot a course-record 63 at Eagle's Landing Country Club to win his third straight Atlanta Intercollegiate title.
The number also set a career-low for McDowell, one-shot better than his previous best of 64 set last year. The Portrush, Northern Ireland native finished 19-under par for the three-round event and took an impressive nine-shot triumph over second-place Scott Jamieson of Augusta State.
The Blazer team, meanwhile, maintained its Thursday standing and finished seventh in the 13-team field. UAB shot a 9-over par 297 score, as the squad had to play with just four guys.
UAB sophomore Chad Goodwin had to withdraw due to a wrist injury, leaving Alan Kaufman to need all four scores from his remaining corps. Drew Jones fired a 74 to finish tied for 32nd individually, while Ryan Thomas shot his third consecutive 76 to claim a tie for 41st.
Senior Craig Gordon tallied a final-round 84 and was tied for 57th.
Auburn won the team title after a 7-under par 281 Friday put the Tigers at 8-under par 856 for the tournament. They took a five-shot win over second-place Florida, which notched a day-best 280 Friday to move up the board.
But the story of the day was McDowell. After posting scores of 65 and 69 Thursday, McDowell made it look even easier in the final round. The win marks his sixth triumph of 2002 and ninth of his brilliant career.
The Blazers will now prepare for the NCAA East Regional, which will kick off Thursday in Atlanta.
