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'They Never Quit': Aggies Men's Golf Advances to NCAA Championship on Comeback Bid

The Aggies were eighth place at the beginning of the final day of the Salem Regional, and with their backs against the wall, a comeback bid led by Sam Bennett helped propel them into fifth and into next week's national championship.

Matt Guzman

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Heading into the final day of the Salem Regional, Texas A&M Aggies men's golf was on the outside looking in, sitting at eight-place overall of the 14 teams in attendance. 

The Aggies needed to finish in fifth place to advance to the NCAA Championship, and with their backs against the wall, they recorded 14 birdies on the final seven holes, jumping from eighth place to a tie for fifth with Clemson, the regional hosts. 

A playoff series ensued, which saw the Aggies individually match up on holes 14-18 against one of Clemson's golfers, and after five holes, the Aggies walked away with a one-stroke tiebreaker victory to earn a title berth.

"I'm speechless," Texas A&M head coach Brian Kortan said. "I can't explain it, except for the guys never gave in." 

Fifth-year Sam Bennett led the charge for the Aggies, finishing tied for eighth place individually at 11-under 205, though his never-quitting mindset was shared by all of his teammates.

"We made the turn at 7-under and we knew the back was gettable," sophomore Vishnu Sadagopan said. "We all made a bunch of birdies starting on hole 12 or 13 and just rode it all the way into the house ... it was unreal." 

As the Aggies now shift their focus to the championship next week, they will look to win their first national title since 2009, with a sense of relief and determination. 

"It was not looking good there for quite a while," Kortan said. Even with three or four holes left, it looked improbable. Holy cow ... the guys sort of knew what we needed. They showed grit and determination. They didn't want it to end."

The NCAA National Championship tees off from Grayhawk Golf Club in Scottsdale, Arizona next week on May 26-31.

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Matt Guzman
MATT GUZMAN

Matt Guzman is a sports journalist and storyteller from Austin, Texas. He serves as a credentialed reporter and site manager for San Antonio Spurs On SI and a staff writer for multiple collegiate sites in the same network. In the world of professional sports, he is a firm believer that athletes are people, too, and intends to tell stories of players and teams’ true, behind-the-scenes character that otherwise would not be seen through strong narrative writing, hooking ledes and passionate words.

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