Rice University
Bob Sitton Invitational
Mario Carmona wins ORU/SFA Spring Break Challenge
3/14/2018 12:00:00 AM | Men's Golf
By: Tim Andrzejewski (tim.andrzejewski@rice.edu)
Final Results 
Dallas, Texas — Senior Mario Carmona fired a three-under 68 to finish five-under par and win the ORU/SFA Spring Break Challenge, played at the par-71, 6,791-yard TPC Four Seasons.
It is Carmona's first career victory and the first for the Owls since Mitchell Meissner won the 2016 Jim West Intercollegiate.
The Houston native finished two-strokes in front of Illinois State's David Rauer.
Carmona, who entered the final round tied with Meissner for the lead, began the day two-under through the first five holes after birdies on holes three and five. After a double-bogey on hole six, he carded three straight pars to make the turn at even par.
But Carmona began the back nine with back-to-back birdies to give him a one shot lead. After four consecutive pars, he birdied the par-five 16th hole before closing the day with two straight pars.
The 68 was Carmona's 15th round of par or better this year and the 44th of his career. He also tied his career-low 54-hole score of 208.
"My short game definitely helped me throughout the week," said Carmona. "I had a strategy going throughout the round. Especially coming down the stretch. It was good to reiterate that. But it was fun to be in it and deal with the pressure."
The Owls carded a seven-over par 291 to finish 16-over par in second-place, three strokes behind tournament winner North Texas.
It is Rice's best finish since winning the Jim West Intercollegiate last year.
Senior Mitchell Meissner finished in fourth-place after closing with a 72. It is his first top five finish of the season and the third of his career. He also set a season-low 54-hole score with a 212.
Sophomore Nicholas Duggan posted a 76 to finish 10-over par and tied for 27th-place tie. Freshmen Jake Benson and Rishi Kejriwal tied for 55th-place at 16-over par. Benson carded a 75 while Kejriwal carded a 76.
"The golf course was completely different today with a south wind," said head coach Justin Emil. "We struggled on the final nine holes, but they were playing extremely difficult. We had a lot of good things this week, especially Mario's first win. He has been so close and finally had a breakthrough this week. Our seniors are playing some really good golf."
The Owls look to take their strong play into next week's Lone Star Invitational, Mar. 19-20 in San Antonio.
Players Mentioned
