Men’s Golf: James claims medalist honors; Hoos tie for third in San Antonio

Courtesy UVA Media Relations

Virginia junior golfer Ben James overcame a five-shot deficit entering the third and final round to win the Valero Texas Collegiate, played at TPC San Antonio’s Oaks Course. James shot a 6-under, 66 and defeated Auburn’s Josiah Gilbert with a birdie on the first playoff hole for the overall title.

James birdied the par-5 eighteenth hole to force the playoff and did it again in the one-hole playoff to win his sixth collegiate tournament. With the individual victory, James earned an automatic exemption into the PGA Tour’s 2025 Valero Open (April 3 – April 6).

James’s round of 66 was the second lowest in the 90-person field on Monday. He posted an overall score of 204 (69-69-66) and registered birdies in seven of his last 13 holes to complete the dramatic comeback victory.

As a team, the third-ranked Cavaliers finished for a tie for third with top-ranked Auburn at 12-under par. Bryan Lee (75-69-71) and Josh Duangmanee (67-77-71) tied for 24th in individual competition, each finishing 1-under for the tournament. Paul Chang (69-78-73) and Maxi Puregger (74-70-81) were 4-over (57th) and 9-over (T-70th) to round out the Virginia lineup.

Competing as an individual, Deven Patel matched Lee and Duangmanee’s 1-under performance and tied for 24th overall. Patel tied with Vanderbilt’s Rowan Sullivan for the lowest three-round score (215) of any unattached competitor.

UP NEXT: Virginia will compete in the Hamptons Collegiate at the Maidstone Club in East Hampton, New York on Oct. 7-8.

TEAM STANDINGS

1. Oklahoma 268-286-280–834
2. Ole Miss 273-280-287–840
3. Virginia 279-285-281–845
3. Auburn 276-289-280–845
5. Vanderbilt 279-291-280–850
6. Georgia 286-286-281–853
6. SMU 286-286-281–853
8. Tennessee 282-290-282–854
9. TCU 284-283-292–859
10. Mississippi State 281-291-292–864
11. LSU 287-291-289–867
12. Clemson 282-298-288–868
13. UTSA 296-299-296–891
13. East Tennessee State 291-297-303–891
15. North Florida 305-304-293–902

VIRGINIA RESULTS

1. Ben James 69-69-66–204
24. Bryan Lee 75-69-71–215
24. Josh Duangmanee 67-77-71–215
24. Devin Patel (Ind.) 69-76-70–215
57. Paul Chang 69-78-73–220
70. Maxi Puregger 74-70-81–225