CARLSBAD, Calif. – Junior All-American Maverick McNealy capped a sensational fall season by earning medalist honors for the third time in four events on Wednesday at the Gifford Collegiate Championship at windy La Costa Resort.
The Portola Valley, California, native and consensus player of the year in 2015 fired a final-round 4-under-par 67, the low score on the day, to share first place with Chris Babcock and Corey Pereira of Washington at 4-under 209.
“Neat for Mav,” said Conrad Ray, the Knowles Family Director of Men’s Golf. “He played great today.”
The fifth-ranked Cardinal recorded a 54-hole score of 3-over 855 (285-277-293) to finish second behind Washington (285-275-286, 846). Stanford, the two-time defending Pac-12 Conference champion, previously placed fourth in the Olympia Fields/Fighting Illini Invitational and Nike Collegiate Invitational, and sixth at the United States Collegiate Championship.
McNealy carded five birdies and one bogey. He saved his best for last, sinking a 40-foot par-saving putt at the par-5 17th hole after hitting a ball in the water, then converted a 30-foot birdie putt from the front fringe at the challenging par-4 18th.
After capturing an NCAA-best six medalist titles last season, he now has nine career wins, trailing only Tiger Woods (11) and Patrick Rodgers (11) on Stanford’s all-time list. McNealy’s fall victories came at Olympia Fields and the Nike Collegiate Championship.
“He’s gotten to the point now where he knows how to manage his game on a tough day like that,” said Ray. “He even talked to the team last night in our meeting about how you have to stay patient and trust that you’re going to make a couple putts. Just hang in there.”
Senior David Boote (71-68-73) tied for fifth at 1-under 212. He rebounded from a double-bogey on the par-4 second hole to play even-par the rest of the way.
Sophomore Jeffrey Swegle (70-68-78) posted a career-best tie for 12th at 3-over 216. He parred the last eight holes in the tough conditions.
Freshman Brandon Wu (72-71-77) tied for 31st at 7-over 220, while freshman Isaiah Salinda (73-75-76) tied for 45th at 11-over 224.
Junior Viraat Badhwar (75-71-76), playing as an individual, tied for 39th at 9-over 222.
“If you look at all three days, we had really solid team contributions,” Ray said. “Jeff really had two great rounds and has a lot to be excited about. Everyone kicked in this week, which is the key for us as we move forward, looking for the success we want.”
Stanford returns to competition in the Amer Ari Invitational (Feb. 4-6) in Waikoloa, Hawaii.