Georgia Tech golfer wins men’s national championship, team advances to match play

CARLSBAD, Calif. — A Georgia Tech men’s golfer is bringing a national championship back to Atlanta.

Sophomore Hiroshi Tai won the individual men’s championship on Monday in California. Tai finished at 3-under-par over four rounds to win the title, finishing ahead of six golfers who carded 2-under-par.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

“Means a lot to me (to win the title),” said Tai. “All the guys on the team have really helped me a lot in my past two and a half years here now. That includes not just the six guys here, but all the guys back home as well. They are the best friends of my life and I am really grateful for the relationships I have been able to make because of coach [Bruce Heppler] and him having me here.”

TRENDING STORIES:

• Braves star Ronald Acuña Jr. out for the season with second torn ACL
• NCAA baseball tournament: Georgia to host regional, Georgia Tech to travel to Athens
• Birmingham-Southern College to shut down as its baseball team advances to DIII World Series
• Statue honoring baseball legend Hank Aaron unveiled at Baseball Hall of Fame

Tai joins Watts Gunn (1927), Charlie Yates (1934) and Troy Matteson (2002) as the only men’s golf individual champions in program history.

Tai’s individual championship also helped the Yellow Jackets qualify for the team match play for the second straight year. The quarterfinals and semifinals will take place on Tuesday with the winners advancing to championship round on Wednesday.

What’s next for Tai after the championship? His title win means he receives an exemption into the U.S. Open at Pinehurst next month and also an invitation to the 2025 Masters.

[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]

‘Tiger, I’m open!’ Lucky Tiger Woods fan catches souvenir at The Masters he will cherish forever

©2024 Cox Media Group