By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Former Tennessee Tech All-American golfer Scott Stallings continues to make his alma mater proud, and Saturday the PGA professional helped out the Golden Eagles while also helping himself.
Stallings represented the purple and gold with flying colors on the third day of the Farmer's Insurance Open, a tournament in which he was playing as the defending champion. Saturday at the tournament at Torrey Pines is University Day, with caddies and players wearing their college colors and logos. While wearing Tech's purple and gold, Stalling tied for the low round of the day with a 68, which meant a hefty donation to the Tech golf program by the tournament sponsor.
For the second consecutive year, Stallings finished with the lowest score through four rounds, this time wrapping up regulation in a four-way tie for the lead. The former Golden Eagle great eventually finished Sunday in a tie for second place overall, after Jason Day took home the win on the second hole of the playoff.
Stallings put together the lowest two-round total through the event's final 36 holes, shooting 68 and 69 to enter the clubhouse at nine-under and a chance to win the tournament for the second straight year. He was eliminated in the playoff after shooting a par five on the 18th hole.
With the second-place finish, Stallings moved into 24th place in the 2015 FedExCup Standings, out-ranking perennial PGA Tour stars Rickie Fowler, Adam Scott and Phil Mickelson, not to mention Tiger Woods.
"It's remarkable to see how far Scott has come along in his career since I played with him back in the mid 2000's," current Tech head coach Polk Brown said. "His performance is just a testament to his desire and work ethic. He was extremely driven then, and having seen what he's done in recent years, it's obvious he still holds that drive to be one of the best. It's an honor to watch him achieve his dream."
With the event encouraging golfers to represent their universities, Stallings' caddie could be seen donning the Tennessee Tech logo on the back of his bib throughout the tournament.
"I'm just so proud of what he represents, not only for himself and his family, but for the Tennessee Tech golf family," Brown added. "He epitomizes what we strive for in this program, to be a group of young men and women who are relentless and will work extremely hard to achieve their goals."
Next on Stallings' schedule will be a trip to Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, Calif. for the Northern Trust Open, Feb. 19-22.
Photo by Associated Press (inset photo by Polk Brown)
