SCOTTSDALE (Ariz.) — Fred Biondi had hoped to have a major decision to make by Monday afternoon. One that would have major consequences for his future.
Was he going to become a professional as he had planned all along or would he stay an amateur for another year?
The caveat? An invitation to the Masters event is on the line and would require that he remain an amateur until 2024.
Biondi must now make a decision.
Florida’s senior won the 2023 NCAA Men’s Golf Championship after coming from behind by five shots in the final stroke play round on Monday. Biondi, a senior at Georgia Tech, shot a 3-under 67 on Monday at Grayhawk Golf Club. He beat Georgia Tech’s Ross Steelman in the final round after Steelman bogeyed three of his last four holes to finish with 73.
Biondi, a Florida Gator, is the third Florida Gator in history to win an NCAA individual title. The last was Nick Gilliam back in 2001.
Biondi shot six birdies and two double bogeys. He has now been granted an exemption to the Masters.
Men’s individual
NCAA Leaderboard: Team | Individual | Photos
Steelman was in the lead after the first three holes, but his three-putt cost him a shot. Steelman’s approach shot at the par-4 seventeenth hole rolled off the front edge of the green and he couldn’t get up-and down for par.
He blasted his drive into the middle on 18, but was unable find the green when he tried to approach it. And he couldn’t make par again from the rough in the right.
Steelman’s bogey at 18 gave Biondi the lead.
Jackson Buchanan, of Illinois, had the chance to reach 7 under par and force a play-off but his birdie on 18 went to the left.
Gordon Sargent, the 2022 champion, from Vanderbilt University, tied for 40th place.
