DURHAM, N.C. — Connor Burgess and Daniel Azallion recorded a pair of top-20s to guide the Virginia Tech men's golf team to a sixth-place showing at the Rod Myers Invitational, which concluded Sunday at Duke University Golf Club (par 72, 7,154 yards).
The three-day event hosted by the Blue Devils featured 14 teams, including four from the ACC. Tech fired a 2-under 862 to open its season. Despite struggling in the final round, the Hokies put together a solid opening 36 holes where they posted rounds of 284 and 285 and were tied for fourth with Duke entering Sunday.
Burgess led all Hokies with his 11th career top-10 by tying for eighth at 4-under 212 (71-68-73). The Lynchburg, Virginia native tied for second in the field in par-3 scoring at 2-under-par.
Azallion, who logged the most birdies by a Tech golfer this weekend with 14, tied for 16th at 2-under 214 (67-72-75). The junior was tied for the individual lead through 18 holes of play.
Competing in his first collegiate event, David Stanford showed promise by placing 22nd at 1-over 217 (72-74-71). His final round included four birdies.
Connor Johnson Jr. (226) and Kobe Valociek (228) rounded out the Tech lineup by tying for 53rd and 61st, respectively.
It was a two-team battle at the top with North Carolina claiming a wire-to-wire victory over NC State for the team title. The Tar Heels signed for an impressive 27-under 837 to edge the Wolfpack by three strokes.
Carolina's Ryan Gerard earned medalist honors by firing a 15-under 201 (67-66-68) to edge State's Maximilian Steinlechner by two shots.
The Hokies return to action Sept. 20-21 at the Battle at Briar's Creek in Johns Island, South Carolina.
