The UNLV men’s golf team punched its ticket to the NCAA Championships Wednesday after finishing third at the NCAA Urbana Regional hosted by Illinois at Atkins Golf Club (Par 71, 7,533 yards). This marks the 23rd time the Rebels have advanced to the national championship in program history.
REBEL ROUNDUP: Senior Caden Fioroni shot under par for the third straight day with a 2-under 69 to tie for second at 9-under 204 for the tournament. He was followed by sophomore Zach Little (E) in a tie for 18th at even-par 213, junior Wyatt Plattner (+1) tied for 21st, senior Trevor Lewis (+2) ended with a 1-under 70 to tie for 27th and junior Brett Sawaia (+17) finished 69th.
FINAL SCORECARD: The Rebels, who entered the week as the No. 6 seed, rounded out their regional appearance at 6-under 846 through 54 holes. Their final round included 13 birdies and an eagle, including a 15th hole with Fioroni and Lewis birdies and a Plattner eagle. Fioroni put the finishing touch on UNLV’s week with his fifth birdie on the day coming on the 18th hole.
REGIONAL CHAMPIONS: Host Illinois and Oklahoma State left as the regional event’s co-champions at 15-under 837. Competing as an individual only, Michigan’s Hunter Thomson won individual medalist honors to also take the one individual qualifying spot.
QUOTABLE: “Today was what we’ve been working and preparing for all year – a chance to qualify and compete for a national championship. Our guys believed, they stepped out there and earned it. I’m very proud of them all. Caden’s play was exceptional from start to finish. We’re excited for him to finish off his college career at La Costa, near his hometown of San Diego.”
–UNLV Head Coach Jean-Paul Hebert
UP NEXT: UNLV will play at the NCAA Championship in Carlsbad, California, starting May 23 at Omni La Costa Resort & Spa.
NOTES:
- UNLV has now notched nine top-6 team performances during the 2024-25 season. That includes first-place finishes at SMU’s Trinity Forest Invitational and Hawai’i’s John A. Burns Intercollegiate.
- This is the first time since 2019 the Rebels advanced past regionals into the NCAA Championships.