LAREDO, Texas — WKU's Billy Tom Sargent used the best 54-hole score by a Hilltopper since 2009 to record the third tournament victory of his career Saturday at Houston's Border Olympics.
The redshirt junior fired a 12-under 204 (67-70-67) tally at the par-72, 7,125-yard Laredo Country Club, holding off Campbell's Pontus Nyholm by two strokes.
The 204 beat Sargent's previous career low by two shots and is the best 54-hole score by a Hilltopper since Neil Horsley completed a 203 at the Renaissance Invitational on Nov. 3, 2009.
"I just tried to stay patient," Sargent said. "You've hit every golf shot so many times. Just because you're at the top of the leaderboard doesn't really change how the shot is. I hit the ball well today, hit some good tee shots, putted well and chipped pretty good. I was able to stay positive, stay calm and execute my shots."
This is the third tournament win for Sargent in the last two seasons. He also won the Sam Hall Intercollegiate and Kenny Perry Invitational last season as a sophomore.
"I'm really proud of the fight Billy Tom showed today," WKU head coach Phillip Hatchett said. "He's been in the hunt for a long time, and it's good to see him finish one. Nobody really understands the amount of work this young man has put into aspects of his game that leans on constantly and consistently."
Sargent had an eventful final round on his way to a 5-under 67, carding two eagles, five birdies and four bogeys. One of his eagles came after the turn on hole No. 1 when he hit a 240-yard shot to about 2 feet of the cup.
Sargent played the par-5s better than anyone across the tournament at 9 under, and he now has six rounds of 69 or better in his last nine opportunities.
"I knew I would definitely have to go under par," Sargent said. "I didn't really put a number in my head. I just wanted to make as many birdies as I could, but I didn't really force anything."
WKU finished strong and placed sixth as a team out of 17 programs with a 6-under 858 (286-291-281) total. Campbell won the title at 843.
Redshirt sophomore Linus Lo tied for 56th at 220 (73-76-71), while junior Stuart Easton (74-74-73) and freshman Crimson Callahan (80-71-70) each tied for 61st at 221. Sophomore Tom Bevington finished with a 225 (72-78-75).
Sargent, Lo, Easton and Callahan each either tied or shot their best round of the tournament on Saturday.
The Hilltoppers now take a month off before returning to action in Lipscomb's Ryman Hospitality Intercollegiate from April 9-10 in Nashville, Tenn.
"We took everybody's score and had a lot of under-par scores," Sargent said. "It was a lot better than we've been doing in the past, and I think we're really close to shooting some really low numbers. We just have to keep practicing hard, stay positive and stay focused on the goals."
Border Olympics Final Results
1. Billy Tom Sargent (67-70-67-204)
T56. Linus Lo (73-76-71-220)
T61. Stuart Easton (74-74-73-221)
T61. Crimson Callahan (80-71-70-221)
T78. Tom Bevington (72-78-75-225)
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