BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – For the first time in program history, the ACC Men’s Golf Individual champion hails from Notre Dame as sophomore Jacob Modleski hit birdie on the final hole Saturday to clinch his first conference title. The sophomore led the team to a 10th-place finish over the three-days of stroke play as the Irish finished with a final score of 873(+9).
Modleski’s individual score of 207(-9) led all participants as his round three score of 69(-3) clinched the individual championship.
The Irish finished their time at the ACC Tournament with a team-low third round score of 289(+1) as they moved up one place in the standings for the 10th-place overall finish.
Sophomore Jacob Modleski paced the Irish over the three-day conference championships as he clinched the individual title behind a thrilling third round performance. Modleski opened the tournament with a 70(-2) after hitting birdie on the final two holes in round one Thursday. He followed up his strong finish in the opening round with an even score through the front nine Friday before inclement weather stalled the latter half of the round until Saturday. Carrying that momentum with him another day, Modleski registered four-under on the back nine to close out the second round, registering eagle on the final hole to mark an individual-low score of 68(-4) with one round to play. Sitting soundly among the top-10 through the duration of the tournament, Modleski birdied hole two early in round three but recorded a first-nine score of 37(+1) which ranked him in a tie for fifth heading into the final nine holes of stroke play. Once again, Modleski swung momentum in his favor, registering a four-under score on the back nine for the second time of the day, including birdies on holes 17 and 18 to clinch the individual title. The win was the first of the season for Modleski, and seventh time placing among the top-10 individually this year.
“I couldn’t be happier for Jacob and what he accomplished this week, the first player in Notre Dame history to win an ACC Championship,” Director of Golf and Head Coach John Handrigan said on Modleski’s individual title. “He is elite in his daily process and this win is a testament to that. Week in and week out Jacob continues to show that he’s one of the very best players in the country. What an incredible moment for him and our program.”
Rocco Salvitti placed second for the Irish and tied for 36th overall as he closed out the ACC Championships with a score of 219(+3). The sophomore opened the tournament with a score of 75(+3) before registering a 71(-1) in the second round Saturday, including an eagle on a par-five at hole seven. A third round score of 73(+1) and even-par finish on the back nine gave him the final score of 219(+3).
With a 72(E) score in the final round Saturday, Mike Qiu jumped nine spots in the standings to finish tied for 53rd overall with a score of 224(+8). The freshman recorded a pair of 76(+4) scores in the first two rounds before registering even-par in his final outing of the ACC Championships for the 224(+8) finish.
Nate Stevens finished the three-day tournament with a final score of 231(+15) for 66th overall. The junior opened the competition with a score of 74(+2) before registering a 78(+6) over the two-day second round play. In his final round, Stevens posted a score of 79(+7) to finish the tournament with 231(+15) overall.
Chris Bagnall recorded a pair of 75(+3) scores in the first two rounds before Calen Sanderson subbed in for round three and posted the same, finishing the final round with a score of 75(+3).
“The NCAA selection is on Wednesday and our team will be ready to compete no matter the site,” Handrigan concluded.
The Irish await their NCAA postseason fate Wednesday, April 30 at 2 p.m. on Golf Channel.