LSU Beats USC to Win National Title


LSU forged a 4-1 victory over USC in the final match of the 2015 NCAA Division I Men's Golf Championship at The Concession Golf Club in Bradenton, Fla.

In Wednesday's finale, LSU senior Ben Taylor sank a 2-foot par putt on the 18th hole to clinch the victory over Southern Cal. The national collegiate golf championship title was the fifth for the Tigers, but its first since 1955.

LSU started strong, with junior Zach Wright getting an early 3 and 2 win. Sophomore Brandon Pierce then forged a 2 and 1 victory, giving the Tigers a quick 2-0 lead.

Taylor's match with USC's Bobby Gojuangco turned on the 17th hole. One-down to the Trojans' junior entering the penultimate hole, Taylor forced another hole after he eagled the par-5 17th. His par on the last gave LSU the team its resounding win.

"It was destiny," Taylor said. "We worked too hard all year, and to see it run up that tier and go to the back of that green by that back pin was pretty special, and it was a great way to end a great match."

I think I just started off slow, personally, gave him a few holes," said Gojuangco. "But felt like I came back fine and he made an eagle on me. Pretty tough after that."

"The kid from LSU, Ben, just played a phenomenal shot into the 17th hole and then two great shots into 18 and an unbelievable two‑putt," said USC coach Chris Zambri. "Congrats to him and to them."

"These five are great young men," LSU coach Chuck Winstead during a TV interview. "They are from great families and they worked hard this year. LSU means the world to me. It is something I wanted to do [coach] because I wanted to try to build something special here at LSU.”

The above report is courtesy of the NCAA. For more information, visit http://www.ncaa.com/2015-di-mens-golf-championships-team-leaderboard.