Men’s golf grabs second consecutive Big 12 crown

The Longhorns overcame a one-shot deficit Sunday afternoon to claim their second Big 12 Championship crown in a row. 

No. 18 Texas defeated weekend rival Texas Tech to finish the tournament with a three-stroke lead, giving the Longhorns their fifth overall Big 12 title and bringing them into the fold of Texas’ Big 12 2013/2014 champions, including volleyball, men’s and women’s swimming and diving, men’s tennis and women’s indoor track and field. 

The Longhorns were led by surging freshman Beau Hossler, who ended the weekend with an even-par score, tying with Oklahoma State’s Talor Gooch for third place. Hossler finished in the top 10 along with senior Toni Hakula, who tied for fifth, and junior Kramer Hickok and fellow junior Brax McCarthy, who shared the tie for ninth place with six other golfers. 

Freshman Gavin Hall rounded out the Texas team, coming in with a tie for 21st.

Hossler led the team all weekend, finally seeing his hard work through the season reach fruition. 

“It’s come a long way, it had been frustrating because I wasn’t seeing results until the last three or four weeks,” Hossler said. “I’m enjoying playing for this team because I’m around a lot of really competitive guys, and that’s only helped me improve as a player. It’s nice to get [a win] under our belts and prove we can do it.”

Head coach John Fields, who has seen plenty of success in his career at Texas, knows that this win can serve as important momentum for the last two tournaments. Fields said he is proud of his team’s performance. 

“This was hard-fought,” Fields said. “This whole entire season has been a mixed bag for us in regards to overcoming a lot of obstacles. We had Kramer’s [right wrist] injury to begin the year, and our guys have persevered and worked hard. I’m super excited for them. I’m excited for our program.” 

Fields also said he knows exactly what the win really means: on to the next one. 

“Now we’ll enjoy this for a few minutes and then we’ll get ready for the NCAA Regional and NCAA Championship,” Fields said.

The Longhorns will head out for the NCAA Regional Championships May 15-17, at a site to be announced. 

—James Grandberry

Women’s golf finishes second in Big 12

With determination, skill and persistence, the sixth-seeded Longhorns outplayed tough Big 12 opponents to finish second in the Big 12 Championship this weekend. 

Competing on their home course at the University of Texas Golf Club, the team recorded a collective 878 on the weekend, 17 strokes behind first-place Oklahoma. 

Breaking Texas’ previous 2011 record of 872, the Sooners shot an 861 to take home their third Big 12 title.

Sophomore Natalie Karcher led the Longhorns throughout the weekend. Karcher fired a career low-69, in Saturday’s second round, leading the individual leaderboard and propelling the team into second place overall, two spots ahead of its Round 1 finish.

The team remained consistent throughout the final round on Sunday, shooting a collective 292. Baylor rounded out the top-three with a score 884 on the weekend.

Selections for the NCAA Regionals will be announced Monday afternoon during Golf Central, Golf Channel’s daily signature news show, with dedicated segments airing throughout.

—Caroline Hall