Mustangs rally late, clinching a hard-fought top-10 finish against top-ranked golf giants in California's demanding Southwestern Invitational.
SMU men’s golf showed grit and staying power this week, closing out a strong top-10 finish against one of the toughest fields it will face all season.
Competing at the Southwestern Invitational at North Ranch Country Club, the Mustangs placed 10th overall among 13 teams, all ranked inside the national top 100.
After opening the final round just outside the top tier, SMU briefly slipped down the leaderboard before regrouping late and clawing its way back into the top 10.
That kind of response mattered in a tournament that rewarded patience and consistency, especially with firm greens and demanding pin placements testing every shot.
Tournament host Pepperdine ran away with the title at 11-under, but the middle of the leaderboard was tightly packed, making every stroke count.
Senior Will Sides continued to be SMU’s most reliable performer. In just his fifth start of the season, Sides delivered his fourth top-20 finish, ending the event tied for 11th.
His final-round 69 showcased his ability to finish strong, and his 13 birdies over three rounds reflected an aggressive approach that paid off. As SMU looks ahead, Sides’ form provides a dependable anchor in competitive fields.
Gabe Post also delivered a standout performance, tying for 17th to match his best collegiate finish. Post’s week included one of the tournament’s highlights, an eagle on a long par-five during the opening round.
Moments like that not only swing momentum but also demonstrate scoring upside that can lift a team during tight events.
The remainder of the Mustangs' lineup battled through challenging conditions. Zachary Kingsland finished inside the top 50, highlighted by an eagle during round two.
Christian Clark opened the tournament at even par but faced a tougher closing stretch, while junior Matthew Foster gained valuable experience against elite competition.
From a broader perspective, SMU’s finish is encouraging. Competing against nationally respected programs like San Diego State, UNLV, USC, and UCLA offers a measuring stick, and finishing ahead of several Power Conference teams reinforces the Mustangs’ upward trajectory.
More importantly, the late-round push suggests a team learning how to manage pressure and close events.
SMU now turns its attention back to California for The Prestige, hosted by UC Davis in Palm Springs from February 16-18.
With momentum building and leaders emerging, the Mustangs will look to convert experience into an even stronger showing in their next test.
TEAM LEADERBOARD
1 Pepperdine -11
2 San Diego State +6
3 UNLV +7
4 Washington +16
T5 San Diego +18
T5 USC +18
7 New Mexico +30
T8 Utah +36
T8 UCLA +36
10 SMU +37
11 San Jose State +41
12 LMU +50
13 Colorado State +51
SMU LEADERBOARD
T11 Will Sides +1
T17 Gabe Post +4
T49 Zachary Kingsland +14
T68 Christian Clark +21
T71 Matthew Foster +29