ANN ARBOR, Mich. — University of Michigan men’s golfer senior Kyle Mueller was selected today (Tuesday, May 2) as an invited individual for the NCAA Men’s Regional to be played in Columbus, Ohio. The regional will be played Thursday through Saturday, May 14-16, at the Scarlet Course, hosted by Ohio State.
“Playing individually is going to make it a bittersweet tournament,” said Mueller. “Obviously, I am very excited for my career to continue and I am looking forward for another opportunity after I did not meet my expectations at Big Tens. That being said, it is not going to be the same without the rest of the team. We just started playing our best golf, but it was just a little too late. I am looking forward to going to the challenges ahead and trying to do everything I can to win a national title.”
Mueller’s invitation gives him four straight NCAA postseason selections after helping the Wolverines to team bids the last three seasons. During his postseason career, U-M finished seventh at the 2015 Washington Regional (T-2nd individually), 10th at the 2016 Vanderbilt Regional (T-56th individually) and tied for eighth at last year’s 2017 Washington Regional (T-8th individually).
With his medalist runner-up finish in 2015, Mueller advanced to the NCAA Finals — the first for a U-M player in 30 years. After 18 holes of the 72-hole event, it was cancelled due to weather and he tied for 94th in the 156-player field.
“I’m thrilled for Kyle to compete at an NCAA Regional, his fourth in a row,” said U-M head coach Chris Whitten. “His goal should be to qualify for the NCAA Championship and compete to win a title. His game suits the Scarlet Course very well and he’ll be fully prepared. This is a reward for a great season, and Kyle will hope to play his best at the right time.”
Mueller’s invitation is the third for a Wolverine since the NCAA Championships moved to the regional format. Matt Thompson (2009-12) earned the first in 2012 when the Wolverines served as the host site at the U-M Golf Course. Chris O’Neill (2013-16) was invited two years later in 2014 at Rich Harvest Farms.
The five other regional sites will be played at the Lonnie Poole Golf Course in Raleigh, North Carolina (NC State); the Traditions Club in Bryan, Texas (Texas A&M); the Reunion Resort in Kissimmee, Florida (Central Florida); the Jimmie Austin OU Golf Club in Norman, Oklahoma (Oklahoma) and the Reserve at Spanos Park in Stockton, California (Pacific).
From each regional, the top five teams and top low individual not on a qualifying team will advance to the NCAA Championships, to be held Friday through Wednesday, May 25-30, at the Karsten Creek Golf Club in Stillwater, Oklahoma.
2018 NCAA COLUMBUS REGIONAL
May 14-16, 2018
The Scarlet Course
Regional Teams
1. Oklahoma State
2. Illinois
3. Texas Tech
4. UNLV
5. Wake Forest
6. Northwestern
7. Penn State
8. Tennessee
9. Louisville
10. Jacksonville
11. Michigan State
12. Yale
13. Cleveland State
Regional Individuals
1. Kyle Mueller, Michigan
2. Matthew Naumec, Boston College
3. Alex Schaake, Iowa
4. Patrick Flavin, Miami (Ohio)
5. David Kocher, Maryland
6. Daniel Wetterich, Ohio State
7. Peter Knade, Maryland
8. Jacob Poore, Northern Kentucky
9. Zach Schroeder, IPFW
10. Nick Wilkins, Morehead State
