Gopher senior Ben Warian wrapped up a historic career as a member of the Gophers after completing the final round of the NCAA Division I Men’s Golf Championships at Omni La Costa Resort in Carlsbad, Calif., on Monday.
Warian carded a final round score of a 4-over 76 to finish tied for 25th place overall for the tournament (72-72-72-76–292). It was the best result for a Gopher since Victor Almstrom tied for 15th and Bronson La’Cassie tied for 22nd in 2007.
Georgia Tech’s Hiroshi Tai was this year’s NCAA medalist with a score of 3-under par.
Beginning on hole No. 10 for his final round, Warian started with a birdie but dropped a shot shortly after on the par-5 11th hole. A double-bogey on the par-4 13th hole set Warian back, but he finished off the first nine holes at 2-over par thanks to a birdie on No. 18.
His second nine holes saw him tally four bogeys to two birdies to cap off his second nine at two-over par.
Season Recap:
Entering this postseason, Warian was named to the All-Big Ten Second team, nabbed 11 top-20 finishes this season, including a win at the High Meadows Intercollegiate, where he set the program’s 36-hole scoring record (128), 54-hole scoring record (198), and led the Gophers to their first win since 2022.
In his 12 stroke play events this season, Warian led the team in scoring average (70.00), rounds under par (8), score to par (-15), and low round of 18 (63).
Warian was also the first member of the Maroon and Gold to qualify for the NCAA Championship as an individual since Rob Kerr in 1996.
Up Next:
Warian will look to the amateur golf ranks until he seeks to pursue professional golf. As for the Gophers, they will set their sights on the 2024-25 season.
(info and stock photo courtesy of Gopher Sports)
