Powered by an impressive Amer Ari Invitational sweep, the Texas Tech men’s golf team vaulted to No. 6 in the Golfweek Men’s Collegiate Team Rankings on Monday, moving up nine spots.
Tech leads a group of five Big 12 teams ranked in the top 15, including three in the top 10, as the Red Raiders are joined by No. 7 Oklahoma State and No. 8 Baylor. Oklahoma occupies the No. 12 ranking and Texas is slotted at No. 14.
“I’m not one to dwell on rankings because we have to stick to our process of improving,” Tech head coach Greg Sands said. “However, I think this ranking is indicative of the potential this team possesses and what it can achieve. The recognition is definitely exciting.”
The Red Raiders blitzed a field absolutely loaded with top-flight teams at the Amer Ari Invitational this weekend, winning by eight shots at a final tally of 44-under par. Tech outpaced three teams ranked in this week’s top 15 by more than 20 strokes in Hawaii.
Tech was led by Fredrik Nilehn, who finished birdie-eagle to force a three-man playoff at 16-under par, which he won with a birdie on the first hole. Nilehn’s 54-hole score of 200 was a school record. Nilehn was joined in the top 10 by Federico Zucchetti, who finished 11-under to tie for fifth. Nilehn, in just four tournaments, has become only the ninth Red Raider all time to capture multiple tournament titles, after winning the Carmel Cup in September.
On the individual side, Golfweek lists Nilehn as the nation’s No. 18 individual player. He is joined in the top 100 by Hannes Ronneblad (No. 61), Ivan Ramirez (No. 69) and Zucchetti (No. 88).
The No. 6 Red Raiders return to action Feb. 17-19 at the Desert Classic, which is held at the Classic Club in Palm Springs, Calif. Fans can keep up by following @TTUMensGolf on Twitter and liking Texas Tech Men’s Golf on Facebook.