Oklahoma made its second consecutive start at an event with a PGA Tour exemption on the line, and for the second time, a Sooner left with the invitation. After fifth-year senior Chris Gotterup claimed the Puerto Rico Classic title last month (and an exemption into last week’s Puerto Rico Open, where he finished T-7), this time it was senior Patrick Welch’s turn. Welch went 14 under for 54 holes to win the Southern Highlands Collegiate and earn an invitation to the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open, which will take place Oct. 6-9, 2022, at TPC Summerlin in Las Vegas.
This is the second individual title for Welch, who won the 2020 East Lake Cup. Welch had a field-best 19 birdies for the week, which is also a personal best for the player from Aliso Viejo, California. He is ranked No. 66 in the Golfweek/Sagarin College Rankings.
Welch’s performance also helped Oklahoma win the team title. It’s the Sooners’ second win this spring and fourth win on the season.
“It’s just been an amazing job from all of our guys so far,” head coach Ryan Hybl said in a release. “Chris obviously went down to Puerto Rico and won and then for Patrick Welch to come out here and win is just phenomenal. Really proud of how he handled everything coming down the stretch today.”
𝐒𝐨𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐩‼️
@vincentpwelch (-14) wins the individual title to earn a @PGATOUR start and No. 1 Oklahoma (-38) wins the Southern Highlands Collegiate to make it 3️⃣ wins in a row!
#Sooners | #ChampU pic.twitter.com/NlQdJlnNK9— Oklahoma Golf (@OU_MGolf) March 2, 2022
Golfweek/Sagarin Rankings: Men’s team | Men’s individual
College golf blog: The Road to Grayhawk
