MURRELLS INLET, S.C. -- Augusta State rallied from a 14-stroke deficit Monday afternoon in the final round to overtake 36-hole leader Virginia and capture the General Hackler Championship. The victory was the first for the No. 9 Jaguars since capturing the 2010 National Championship in Ooltewah, Tenn.
The Jaguars' All-American duo of Henrik Norlander and Patrick Reed sparked the comeback, firing a pair of 5-under 67's on the 6,950-yard, par-72 TPC Myrtle Beach layout. Freshman Alex Wennstam turned in a 1-under 71 and senior Carter Newman signed for a 4-over 76. Fellow senior Mitch Krywulycz had the day's non-counting score, a 5-over 77.
Norlander carded five birdies on the day and reached the par-5 18th in two with a driver and 4-iron. He promptly drained a 30-foot eagle putt to punctuate the victory, the fifth of his collegiate career. With the victory, Norlander equaled former Jaguar All-American Oliver Wilson for the most wins in school history.
The Jags, who began the day tied for fourth with Auburn, played the back nine in 10-under-par, including 8-under from Norlander and Reed, who tied for fourth -- his fourth top-five finish of the season. Reed moved up 15 spots and Wennstam climbed 19 places, improving from 43rd into a tie for 24th. Junior Taylor Floyd, competing as an individual, tied for 46th at 18-over 234 (85-72-77).
Virginia was second, three shots back of the Jags. Auburn, Tennessee and Pepperdine rounded out the top five and tourney host Coastal Carolina took sixth.
The Jags return to action March 27-29 in the Hootie at Bulls Bay Intercollegiate at Bulls Bay Golf Club in Awendaw, S.C., just outside of Charleston. ASU hosts the Administaff ASU Invite April 2-3 at Forest Hills Golf Club.
Complete, full-field results of the General Hackler Championship are available at www.golfstat.com.