Kansas State University Athletics
Monday, February 13
Mobile, Ala.
Kansas State University
vs
Hal Williams Collegiate
Hopkins Leads K-State to Third-Place Finish
Feb 14, 2023 | Men's Golf
MOBILE, Ala. - Led by a top-10 individual finish from Will Hopkins, the 21st-ranked Kansas State men's golf team placed third at 13-under par 839 after the final round of the Hal Williams Collegiate on Tuesday, held at the par-71, 7,168-yard Magnolia Grove Golf Club.
The Wildcats began the day by finishing off a 5-under par 279 second round that was suspended on Monday due to darkness before firing a 6-under par 278 final round. The rounds did enough to create a five-stroke advantage over the fourth-place team, No. 49 Southern Miss, and record the ninth-best gross 54-hole score in school history.
After winning three championships in the fall, this is now the fourth top-five team finish of the season. The Wildcats' top-five streak in regular season stroke play events is now at six dating back to last spring.
"The guys played really well today," said head Grant Robbins. "The wind picked up and the course played much more difficult than it did yesterday. Our four counters made 19 birdies today, which was very strong in these conditions."
Hopkins tied for sixth place at 7-under par 206 following back-to-back 3-under par 68 rounds to close out the event. It is the ninth career top-10 finish for Hopkins and already the third of his senior campaign.
His score of 206 ties his career best 54-hole gross score, which is tied for the 20th-best gross score in school history.
"Will had a great tournament," Robbins said. "Tee to green, he was solid all week, and today he got a few putts to fall. He showed a lot of maturity throughout the entire tournament."
Tim Tillmanns made an eight-spot jump on the final day and tied for 22nd place at 1-under par 212. He carded a 1-over par 72 second round, which included an eagle, and a 1 under-par 70 final round.
A stroke behind him at an even-par 213 and in a tie for 25th place was Luke O'Neill, who closed his tournament with a 3-over par 74 final round. His week was highlighted by a 5-under par 66 second round, which he finished off to begin play on Tuesday. Like Tillmanns, O'Neill also carded an eagle during his second round with the pair being two of just 10 golfers to register eagles this week.
Next on the leaderboard for K-State were Laurenz Schiergen and Cooper Schultz as each tied for 34th place at 2-over par 215. The duo each carded 1-under par 70 final rounds and made an 18-spot jump in the standings, greatly aiding the Wildcats to secure their placing.
Nicklaus Mason, competing this week as an individual, finished in 74th place at 11-over par 225. He concluded his second round at 3-over par 74 before shooting a 4-over par 75 final round.
No. 5 Illinois ran away from the field to win the team title at 36-under par 816, 13 strokes ahead of second-place Arkansas. Mateo Fernandez De Oliveira of Arkansas won the individual championship at 15-under par 198.
The Wildcats can take a lot from this experience heading into a spring schedule that includes five more regular season events.
"Overall, it was a solid week for us. We made a ton of birdies, which shows what we are capable of," said Robbins. "I just think there was a little bit of rust for us coming out of the winter, especially around the greens. I'm really pleased with how we got better with each round. It's definitely something to build upon."
K-State will now be off for the rest of the month before returning to action March 6 and 7 at the Colleton River Collegiate.
The Wildcats began the day by finishing off a 5-under par 279 second round that was suspended on Monday due to darkness before firing a 6-under par 278 final round. The rounds did enough to create a five-stroke advantage over the fourth-place team, No. 49 Southern Miss, and record the ninth-best gross 54-hole score in school history.
After winning three championships in the fall, this is now the fourth top-five team finish of the season. The Wildcats' top-five streak in regular season stroke play events is now at six dating back to last spring.
"The guys played really well today," said head Grant Robbins. "The wind picked up and the course played much more difficult than it did yesterday. Our four counters made 19 birdies today, which was very strong in these conditions."
Hopkins tied for sixth place at 7-under par 206 following back-to-back 3-under par 68 rounds to close out the event. It is the ninth career top-10 finish for Hopkins and already the third of his senior campaign.
His score of 206 ties his career best 54-hole gross score, which is tied for the 20th-best gross score in school history.
"Will had a great tournament," Robbins said. "Tee to green, he was solid all week, and today he got a few putts to fall. He showed a lot of maturity throughout the entire tournament."
Tim Tillmanns made an eight-spot jump on the final day and tied for 22nd place at 1-under par 212. He carded a 1-over par 72 second round, which included an eagle, and a 1 under-par 70 final round.
A stroke behind him at an even-par 213 and in a tie for 25th place was Luke O'Neill, who closed his tournament with a 3-over par 74 final round. His week was highlighted by a 5-under par 66 second round, which he finished off to begin play on Tuesday. Like Tillmanns, O'Neill also carded an eagle during his second round with the pair being two of just 10 golfers to register eagles this week.
Next on the leaderboard for K-State were Laurenz Schiergen and Cooper Schultz as each tied for 34th place at 2-over par 215. The duo each carded 1-under par 70 final rounds and made an 18-spot jump in the standings, greatly aiding the Wildcats to secure their placing.
Nicklaus Mason, competing this week as an individual, finished in 74th place at 11-over par 225. He concluded his second round at 3-over par 74 before shooting a 4-over par 75 final round.
No. 5 Illinois ran away from the field to win the team title at 36-under par 816, 13 strokes ahead of second-place Arkansas. Mateo Fernandez De Oliveira of Arkansas won the individual championship at 15-under par 198.
The Wildcats can take a lot from this experience heading into a spring schedule that includes five more regular season events.
"Overall, it was a solid week for us. We made a ton of birdies, which shows what we are capable of," said Robbins. "I just think there was a little bit of rust for us coming out of the winter, especially around the greens. I'm really pleased with how we got better with each round. It's definitely something to build upon."
K-State will now be off for the rest of the month before returning to action March 6 and 7 at the Colleton River Collegiate.
Players Mentioned
/ Men's Golf
/ Men's Golf
/ Men's Golf
/ Men's Golf
/ Men's Golf
/ Men's Golf
K-State MGolf | Highlights - Wildcat Invitational Day 1
Monday, September 08
K-State Men's Golf | 2025 NCAA Selection Show
Thursday, May 01
K-State Women's Golf | Big 12 Women's Golfer of the Year - Carla Bernat
Thursday, May 01
K-State MGolf | NCAA Regional Selection Show
Wednesday, April 30