Virginia’s Thomas Walsh sets tournament record to win ACC Men’s Golf Championship

For the third time in the last six years, a Virginia Cavalier is the ACC Men’s Golf Champion as Thomas Walsh took the top spot this weekend in New London, North Carolina. Walsh’s three-day total was a 16-under 200, an ACC tournament record. Over the course of the tournament, Walsh shot a five-under 67, seven-under 65 (!!), and a four-under 68.

For Walsh, a third year North Carolina native, the win was his first collegiate victory. “It is incredible,” Walsh said after the match. “It is hard to put into words. It is the best thing that has ever happened to my golf career. It’s my only win in college. I could not wish it any other way, especially doing this in my home state. I’ve been coming to this thing for maybe 10 years. I always wanted to just play in the tournament. To win it, is incredible.”

Virginia head coach Bowen Sargent was happy for his player, saying, “I’m really happy for Thomas. It was a great week to shoot 16-under par. It was his first college win as a junior and I know he wanted one really bad. It was good to see him get it at such a historic event. This means a lot to him being from North Carolina and this tournament is basically in his back yard. This week he beat up on them pretty good.”

This is the second straight year a Wahoo has taken the top spot at the ACC tournament as Jimmy Stanger won last year. Ben Rusch took the title in 2012.

As a team, Virginia finished fourth overall and five strokes behind Georgia Tech. Clemson and Wake Forest finished second and third, respectively. Virginia Tech finished in last place.

Fellow Cavalier Danny Walker finished in third place overall with a three-day score of 203. He opened the event with a seven-under 65.

Now, the Hoos will wait for a bid to the NCAA tournament, which will take place May 14-16.

Until then, time to celebrate!