Clemson, SC—Thomas Higgins shot a career best six-under-par 65 and Jonathan Nielsen added a 68 in leading Clemson to a 10th place finish out of 20 teams at the Ka’anapali Classic at Royal Ka’anapali Country Club in Lahaina, Hawaii on Saturday. It was the final tournament of the fall portion of the schedule for Jordan Byrd’s Tigers.
Clemson finished 10th with a score of 13-under-par 839 score on the par 71 course that measures 6,700 yards. The Tigers had team rounds of 288-276-275. Clemson improved from 15th place after the first round to 10th in the final standings thanks to playing the final two rounds at 17 under par.
Higgins 65 was the low round of the year by a Clemson golfer and the low round of his career by four shots. Higgins round included five birdies, his second career eagle and one bogey. The performance in the final round allowed Higgins to finish eighth (203) in the final standings, the second top 10 of the sophomore’s career.
Nielsen had six birdies in the final round and 16 for the tournament, and finished 24th in the individual race with a 207 score. He had rounds of 70-69-68 and now has six under-par rounds this year, best on the Clemson team.
Two other Tigers posted even par final rounds, as Will Baker and Andrew Swanson both had 71s. Swanson, who also had 16 birdie, finished 52nd with a 211 score while Baker finished at 224. For Baker, it was his second even par round of the year. Kian Rose had a 72 and was the non-counter and finished with a 219 total.
Clemson will return to the course Feb. 5 at the Battle of Brian’s Creek in Charleston, SC.
