The men's golf team had its best tournament of the year this weekend as it tied for second place at the ACC Championships at the Old North State Club in Uwharrie, N.C.
Freshman Matt Krauss played outstanding golf all three days and became the first Blue Devil to win a tournament this year when Georgia Tech's Mike Pearson missed a putt to tie on the 18th hole.
Duke opened the 54-hole event with a 298, which the Blue Devils considered not that bad because of the windy conditions which made the course play difficult. After the first day the Blue Devils were 11 strokes behind first-round leaders North Carolina and Georgia Tech.
On day two the ACC teams saw a different Duke squad from day one. The Blue Devils scorched the field with a tournament-best four-under par 284 to move themselves within striking distance of the lead. After 36 holes played, Duke was only four strokes behind.
"We put ourselves in a position to make a run at the championship," said coach Rod Myers. "Our goals have changed all of a sudden. We have been given a chance to win and that's what we are going to try to do."
The final day belonged to third-ranked Georgia Tech, as it won the event by recording a one-under par 863. The Blue Devils, however, shot a final-round 291 for an overall nine-over par 873, good for a tie for second with North Carolina.
The key to Duke's success this weekend was Krauss. After a tough first-round 75, the freshman fired a second-round-low 68 to move him within a stroke of the overall lead. In the final round, Krauss again broke 70 with a 69 and put himself in the clubhouse with the lead at a four-under par 212.
Krauss birdied the last two holes with two great approach shots and two clutch putts to get himself to four-under par. At that point he did not know how important those shots were.
"It was kind of unexpected, but it felt nice," said Krauss. "I was playing well and putting well during all three days. I knew if I could get the ball close I would hit the putt."
Krauss was not the only player who fared well. Seniors Marc Chatelain and Kyle Elfers both finished in the top 20. Chatelain fired three solid rounds of 74-70-72 to end up at even par and finished in a season-best tie for fourth. Elfers shot a six-over par 222 to finish in a tie for 18th place.
Senior Mike Christensen was unable to recover from a first-round 79, but the other Duke players responded well to the added pressure and came through when it was needed most.
"We keep improving in every tournament we play," said Myers. "This weekend our guys played themselves off the bubble of the NCAA Regionals. Next week we won't have to worry about our futures being on the line."
Duke has one more tournament before the NCAA Regionals, the Wofford Invitational which takes place next weekend.
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