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The Aggie Invitational: Montojo’s First Career Title
Bryan-College Station – In a thrilling display of talent and nerve, Texas A&M’s men’s golf championship contender, Jaime Montojo, powered through the final seven holes to clinch his first-ever collegiate title. Joining him in the spotlight was Niilo Maki-Petaja from Louisiana Tech, with both players finishing at 1-over 217 as co-medalists.
Montojo’s Impressive Ascent
Montojo, unfazed by the stiff competition, rose an astonishing 12 spots in the final round of the tournament. An excellent score of 3-under 69 was the best round of the day, propelling him to the top. Only three golfers cleared even at the par-72, 7,227 Traditions Club, Resting not on his laurels, the sophomore posted an awe-inspiring 32 on the back nine, showing his determination to bring glory to A&M.
Montojo showcased his skill and caliber by birdying four out of the last seven holes, including the last two, ensuring a spectacular come-from-behind victory.
Aggie Teammates Make Their Mark
A&M teammate Phichaksn Maichon finished a commendable third, trailing just one stroke at 2-over 218. He maintained a strong lead for a significant part of the final round until being surpassed by Montojo and Maki-Petaja in the closing stages. Texas A&M concluded the tournament at a respectable second place with a 20-over 884, trailing six shots behind tournament champions Baylor.
Team Effort and Future Outlook
Montojo’s senior teammate Daniel Rodrigues finished 20th at his final Aggie Invitational. His significant leap of 14 spots in the final round, finishing even 72 to end at 9-over 225, showed a high spirit of competition. Another significant performance came from freshman Aaron Pounds, who logged three rounds of 74 to post a 6-over 222 score, marking his season’s best finish in the 12th place.
The Aggies proved that they are a force to be reckoned with, and now they will shift focus to the SEC Championship at the Seaside Course at Sea Island Golf Club in St. Simons Island, Georgia, taking place from April 24th to 28th.
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