Alex Elias Following Ryan Gerard's solo fourth-place finish at the Honda Classic, the University of North Carolina alum spoke of his relationship with former teammate Ben Griffin saying, "Ben obviously is a great player and is an even better guy." Gerard continued, "We need more light blue out on this Tour."
By all appearances, Gerard is set to receive his wish. Currently, the 3rd ranked program in the nation, UNC is the only school to have four players on the 2023 Ben Hogan watch list: Austin Greaser, David Ford, Dylan Menante, and Ryan Burnett. It won't be long until the four Tar Heels are joining Griffin and Gerard on the Tour. Ben Griffin: A rookie on the PGA Tour, Griffin has recorded one Top 10 (T3, Butterfield Bermuda Championship) and five Top 25s. Currently, Griffin ranks 37th in the FedEx Cup Standings. Ryan Gerard: In his PGA Tour debut, Gerard recorded a solo-fourth place finish at the Honda Classic. Last year, Gerard qualified for the 2022 U.S. Open (5-under 137) in a 70-player field at the Club at Admiral's Cove in Jupiter, Florida. Austin Greaser: Greaser currently ranks 5th in the World Amateur Golf Ranking. A Senior, Greaser has won two collegiate titles and has seven Top 5s and 12 Top 10s in twenty-eight collegiate starts. Greaser ranks 2nd in UNC history in stroke average (71.35). In 2021, Greaser was the runner-up at the 2021 U.S. Amateur at Oakmont Country Club. In 2022, Greaser won the 2022 Western Amateur. David Ford: Ford currently ranks 6th in the World Amateur Golf Ranking. Last year as a Freshman, Ford had the fourth-lowest stroke average in UNC history (second lowest by a Freshman), en route to being named ACC Freshman of the Year. In the NCAA Championship, Ford finished tied for fifth. Dylan Menante: Menante currently ranks 7th in the World Amateur Golf Ranking. A Senior, Menante transferred from Pepperdine University, where he helped lead The Waves to The 2021 National Championship. Menante reached the semi-finals of the 2022 U.S. Amateur at Ridgewood Country Club. Ryan Burnett: Burnett currently ranks 52nd in the World Amateur Golf Ranking. A 5th Year Senior, Burnett is No. 3 all-time at UNC in stroke average at 71.54. Burnett has one win, four runner-ups, twelve Top 5s.
0 Comments
Alex Elias Widely regarded as one of the premier programs in the nation, Taylor Montgomery is the next UNLV Rebel to be making a name for himself on the PGA Tour. In Montgomery's rookie season, in ten total events, the Korn Ferry Tour graduate has made all ten cuts and has finished in the Top-15 in eight, four of which were Top-10 finishes including a third-place finish in the Fortinet Championship and a solo fifth at The American Express.
Currently, 4th in SG: Putting, Philip Rowe, then an assistant for the Rebels, said, "His short game and putting were always ace." Reflecting on Montgomery's years at UNLV, Rowe described Montgomery as "relentless" saying, "You could go the tucked away practice area at Shadow Creek any time of day and there was a 75% chance, he'd be there working away." Rowe continued, "He was prepared to work on his own and put in the hours. He also played probably 5+ rounds a week on average." While Montgomery's putting may have always been superb, Montgomery told Golf Digest, "There’s nobody in the world as bad a driver as I was," speaking of his years at UNLV. Rowe said, "The Golf Digest article hits it pretty well. Taylor couldn't even get off the first tee at Shadow Creek as he kept hitting the little pine tree about 100 yards forward and 30 yards left!" Recalling a specific range session, Rowe said, "On 3/27/27, I remember a range session with Taylor and Ryan Moore. Ryan gave him a 'pause drill', along with a couple other cues I noted, and got him to hit curtailed swing 8-irons (Soft 165 yard shots!). I really think that range session was on the key turning point." Now, ranked 37th on the PGA Tour in SG: Off-The-Tee, Rowe credits Montgomery's mindset, which he described as "relentless." Rowe said, "There was certainly frustration but for the most part the pressure he put on himself just made him even better at those shots." Crediting UNLV as well, Rowe said, "There is a special vibe around Las Vegas that UNLV players benefit from. Shadow Creek, Southern Highlands, TPC, and loads of great Tour players at all levels. |
Proudly powered by Weebly