Marquette Wins Fourth BIG EAST Golf Championship

OKATIE, S.C. — A 7-under-par 281 paced Marquette to a 24-stroke victory and its fourth BIG EAST Men's Golf Championship crown on Sunday at Callawassie Island G.C.

The Golden Eagles claimed their third league championship in the last five seasons (2015, 2017), and fourth since 2008 to earn an automatic berth into the regional rounds of the NCAA Men's Golf Championships, set for May 13-15.

Marquette (303-288-281—872) held the lead beginning in Saturday's second round, after a third place start and a 15-over-par round on Friday. On Sunday, MU piled up 18 birdies and a pair of eagles to pull away from the field and finish at 8-over-par for the tournament.

Matt Murlick finished as runner-up for the second straight year, in a four-way tie for second at 1-over-par for the championship (75-72-70—217), as MU won a team title for the first time without having an individual champion. Xavier's Garrett Wood posted an even-par 216 to claim the medalist spot and earn an automatic NCAA regional berth.

Marquette's five starters finished in the top 16, with four in the top 10. Oliver Farrell carded a 3-under-par 69 on Sunday, matching the tournament low score, to finish sixth overall (77-72-69–218). Tyler Leach had his second straight subpar round with a 2-under-par 70 to finish seventh (78-71-70—219). Austin Kendziorski, who tied for 20th a year ago, posted an even par 72 to tie for eighth (76-73-72—221).

Oliver Farrell talks about the "Bigger Than Me" mindset laid out by @SteveBaileyGolf that led @MarquetteMGolf to a 3rd title in 5 years.

More with the #BIGEASTgolf Champions and @John_Fanta from @CallawassieSC: pic.twitter.com/2B53KTGnhy
— BIG EAST Conference (@BIGEAST) April 28, 2019

As scores continued to drop and conditions played more favorably, Marquette opened up its lead. The Golden Eagles opened with 10 front nine birdies, and a pair of eagles from 2018 champion Hunter Eichhorn (75-78-73—226, T-14), while Murlick took charge on the back nine and carded four birdies, including on No. 17 and No. 18, to come in at 3-under-par.

Matt Murlick makes it official and @MarquetteMGolf is the #BIGEASTgolf Champion!!! pic.twitter.com/Updxc5aRHZ
— BIG EAST Champs (@BIGEASTchamps) April 28, 2019

MU finished the tournament with 48 birdies to lead the field, paced by Murlick's tournament-best 13 and Leach's 12. The Golden Eagles went 12-under-par on Par 5 chances.

Marquette matched a school single-season record with its third event win, hitting the total established by the 2007-08 team. The Golden Eagles won back-to-back fall events (Northern Intercollegiate, Windon Memorial).

Selections for the 2019 NCAA Men's Golf Championships will be announced on Wednesday, May 1 at 9 p.m. Eastern, 8 p.m. Central, on the Golf Channel's Golf Central. Six 54-hole regional tournaments will be played at predetermined sites, while the national championships will be played May 24-29 in Fayetteville, Arkansas at Blessings G.C.