Lin’s Three Down Rally Defeats UVA 3-2 for Gators Semifinals Berth
Yuxin Lin secured the match clinching point and Florida will play FSU in the semifinals today at 3:45p.m.
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – Down three with seven holes left, Yuxin Lin rallied and secured the match clinching point to send the Florida men’s golf team to the semifinals with a 3-2 victory over the No. 7 seed Virginia.
The Gators will take on No. 6 Florida State for a chance to the finals and the program’s fifth National Championship at 3:45 p.m. ET. Live coverage will start on Golf Channel at 5 p.m. ET.
After reaching match play for the first time in program history, the Gators started slow and trailed in four of the five matches approaching the turn. Florida soon grabbed some momentum on the back nine.
John DuBois sparked the Gators comeback efforts midway through the match. DuBois took back-to-back holes on 9 & 10 to go 1 UP and never lose another hole. He secured the first point for Florida with a victory on the par-3 16, 3&2 to tie it 1-1. The win marked his fifth career in match play.
Remaining undefeated all-time in match play, Ricky Castillo cruised to a 4&3 win to push the Gators ahead 2-1. Virginia then responded with a victory on 18 to bring all eyes to Lin’s match on 17.
Lin would make birdie on 17th to go 1 Up after a great chip from the left side of the green. For the second day in a row, it came down to the 18th hole. Lin smacked his drive down the fairway as his opponent landed in the fairway bunker. The senior then sent his approach on the green and his match up in the bunker left of the green. His opponent tried for par but ran off the green in his fourth shot and conceded the hole to Lin for birdie.
Florida is now 4-0 this season in match play this season.
Yuxin Lin
On the key to the match…
“I just didn’t give up. George (Duangmanee) played really well at the start and I tried to be patient and keep doing what I’m doing, and it obviously worked out at the end. I’m really happy for the team and myself as well.”
J.C. Deacon
On his message to the team…
“Coach (Dudley) Hart has been stressing patience all year long and I’m really proud of (Yuxin) today because he was in a tough spot and George (Duangmanee) was playing really well. I think Yuxin was 3-under through 11 and still two down, so I’m super proud of him. He bailed me out. I made an horrendous mistake today and owe the boys for sure. I let Matt (Kress) down, but the big guy bailed us out. We got another tee time and I’m really excited, we’ve had an awesome year and we get to play another match. It’s amazing.”
Match Play Results
Deven Patel (UVA) 1 Up over Matthew Kress (UF)
John DuBois (UF) 3&2 over Pietro Bovari
Yuxin Lin (UF) 1 Up over George Duangmanee (UVA)
Bryan Lee (UVA) 6&5 over Fred Biondi (UF)
Ricky Castillo (UF) 4&3 over Ben James (UVA)
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