Hopkins, Tillmanns Lead K-State to Top-Five Finish in Fall Finale

LOXLEY, Ala. – The Kansas State men's golf team closed out its fall schedule on a high note, as the Cats captured a fifth-place finish on Sunday at the Steelwood Collegiate behind dominant performances from Will Hopkins and Tim Tillmanns, both of whom finished in the top-10.

"I'm proud of the guys for grinding through it this weekend. Tim and Will both had great tournaments and were very consistent all week," head coach Grant Robbins said. "I thought Nick (Nicklaus Mason) was very solid as well. The difference today was we just weren't able to get a fourth score like we did yesterday afternoon."

K-State used a 1-under par 287 final round to bring its final tally to 7-under par 857 and pick up the second top-five finish of the season. This is the 12th top-five finish in the last four seasons for the Wildcats.

Hopkins put the finishing touches on the best performance of his senior campaign thus far, carding a 2-under par 70 final 18 to finish in a tie for fifth place at 5-under par 211. This is Hopkins' third career top-five finish and first of the season. The 5-under par tally is the best 54-hole score against par of any Wildcat this season.

Tillmanns made a seven-spot rise in the standings to move into the top-10, a tie for eighth place at 4-under par 212. Like Hopkins, the junior recorded a 2-under par 70 final round to make the leap and earn his fifth career top-10 finish and the second of the season.

Mason, a freshman, maintained his spot in a tie for 22nd place with an even-par 72 third round. His final total of 1-under par 215 is the best 54-hole score of his young Wildcat career.

Luke O'Neill tied for 40th place at 4-over par 220, dropping seven spots from Saturday with a 3-over par 75 final 18. Cooper Schultz shot a 4-over par 76 in the third round and tied for 71st at 13-over par 229.

Competing as an individual, Ethan Miller carded a 3-over par 75 final round as he tied for 47th place at 6-over par 222.

Missouri hung on to its lead and claimed the victory at 17-under par 847, holding off a push from Kentucky, which shot a 5-under par 283 in the third round to rise three spots on the leaderboard and finish in second place. Ford Clegg of Mississippi State captured the individual title at 11-under par 205.

With the fall slate behind the Wildcats, there is much excitement about the team in the future.

"As we look back at the fall, I think there's a lot to be optimistic going forward," Robbins said. "As a team, we are making a ton of birdies, which shows the potential that we have. Overall, we have to get better around the greens, and we need to develop some more depth within our team."

Kansas State will return to action February 14-15 at the Mobile Bay Intercollegiate, the first of six events scheduled for the spring.

"I'm definitely looking forward to the championship segment of the season," Robbins said. "I think this team can do some special things this year."

Hopkins, Tillmanns Lead K-State to Top-Five Finish in Fall Finale

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Will Hopkins

Nicklaus Mason

Ethan Miller

Luke O'Neill

Cooper Schultz

Tim Tillmanns

Players Mentioned

Will Hopkins

Nicklaus Mason

Ethan Miller

Luke O'Neill

Cooper Schultz

Tim Tillmanns

Kansas State University Athletics