Virginia's golf team made a statement at the Pauma Valley Invitational, climbing six spots to finish tied for sixth. Their final round was a dazzling 10-under 274, the best team score of the day by three strokes. This impressive surge was fueled by standout performances from Ben James and Paul Chang, both carding 68s, and solid contributions from Michael Lee and Maxi Puregger, each posting a 69.
Ben James led the Cavaliers, finishing at six-under with a total score of 207. This marks his seventh top-five finish in as many starts this season.
James was in fine form, notching five birdies, including two in the closing stretch. His 207 is his second-best 54-hole score this year.
Paul Chang was a model of consistency, securing his third top-10 finish of the season with a score of 208. Over three rounds, Chang racked up 14 birdies, ranking fourth in the 92-player field. His steady play was crucial for Virginia’s success.
Freshman Michael Lee showed promise with a nearly blemish-free round, tallying just one bogey and three birdies for his best score since February. Sophomore Maxi Puregger also delivered under pressure, closing with two birdies to finish his round under par.
Both Chang and James excelled on the par 5s, playing them at six-under, the best in the tournament. As a team, Virginia and Oklahoma State shared the top scoring average on par 4s at 4.04.
Looking ahead, Virginia will send select players to the Golden Horseshoe Intercollegiate in Williamsburg before heading to The Calusa Cup in Naples for the final road tournament of the regular season.
Leaderboard Highlights:
- Tennessee and Georgia Tech shared the top spot, both finishing at 16-under.
- Virginia's final round surge brought them to a tie for sixth with Illinois at six-under.
Virginia Player Scores:
- T5. Ben James: 71-71-68 (207, -6)
- T8. Paul Chang: 70-70-68 (208, -5)
- T48. Michael Lee: 75-72-69 (216, +3)
- T57. Maxi Puregger: 73-75-69 (217, +4)
- T75. Josh Duangmanee: 73-77-72 (222, +9)
Virginia’s performance at the Pauma Valley Invitational showcased their depth and potential, setting the stage for an exciting finish to the season.