The Arizona men's golf team was on pace to win its second tournament of the season, but the Wildcats were unable to hold off fifth-ranked Texas for the National Invitational Tournament title at Omni Tucson National, losing the NIT by a stroke.Β
Even though the Wildcats placed second at their first home event of the season, UA senior and All-Big 12 golfer Filip Jakubcik won the individual title after firing a -14 in three rounds, including a -5 (67) in the third round on Tuesday.Β
It's Jakubcik's third individual title at Arizona. He won the Western Intercollegiate the last two seasons. Jakubcik tied Texas' Tommy Morrison for the best score on Par 5 holes (-9). Jakubcik, Morrison, Peter Kim (BYU), Luke Potter (Texas) and Ethan Klose (New Mexico State) tallied a tournament-best 16 birdies.Β
The Wildcats had the best score on Par 4s (-12) and Par 5s (-34) and they recorded the most birdies (72), though they had the most bogeys (27).Β
Arizona entered the final day of the NIT with the lead and had a two-stroke advantage entering the final two holes, but Texas edged Arizona to finish with a team score of -41, with Arizona finishing -40. Iowa State was third at -29, followed by BYU and St. Mary's (-20) tying for fourth place, with Cal (-19), UTEP (-10), New Mexico State (-5), Wyoming (-3) and Santa Clara (-2) rounding out the Top 10.Β Β Β
Four Wildcats finished in the Top 10: Jakubcik (-14), William Wistrand (-9), Tianyi Xiong (-7) and Zach Pollo (-7).Β
After winning the Copper Cup and finishing second in the NIT to start the season, Arizona doesn't have a tournament scheduled for February. The Wildcats' next tournament is the Cabo Collegiate at the Twin Dolphin Club in Mexico, March 1-3. Arizona hosts the Arizona Thunderbirds Intercollegiate at Tucson Country Club March 16-17.Β Β
Arizona senior golfer Filip Jakubcik drives his tee shot during the 23rd edition of the Arizona NIT at Omni Tucson National, Jan. 27.
Arizona senior golfer Zach Pollo putts the ball during the 23rd edition of the Arizona NIT at Omni Tucson National on Jan. 27.
Arizona sophomore golfer Taishi Moto drives his tee shot during the 23rd edition of the Arizona NIT.
Arizona senior golfer Zach Pollo sets up his shot at the first hole during 23rd edition of the Arizona NIT at Omni Tucson National, Jan. 27.
Arizona senior golfer Filip Jakubcik drives his tee shot during the 23rd edition of the Arizona NIT at Omni Tucson National, Jan. 27.
Arizona senior golfer Connor Hamm heads to his next hole during the 23rd Arizona NIT at Omni Tucson National, Jan. 27.
Arizona sophomore golfer Taishi Moto looks through his pin sheets during the 23rd Arizona NIT at Omni Tucson National, Jan. 27.
The 23rd Arizona NIT was held at Omni Tucson National.
Arizona head golf coach Jim Anderson watches his player compete in the 23rd edition of the Arizona NIT at Omni Tucson National, Jan. 27.
Arizona senior golfer Zach Pollo picks out a golf club at the 18th hole during the 23rd Arizona NIT at Omni Tucson National, Jan. 27.
The 23rd Arizona NIT wrapped up Jan. 27.
Two Arizona golfers make their way to the next hole during the 23rd Arizona NIT at Omni Tucson National, Jan. 27.
Arizona junior golfer Dillon Dean hits the ball at hole 18 during the 23rd Arizona NIT at Omni Tucson National, Jan. 27.
