AUBURN – University of North Alabama golfer Xing Luo finished tied for 43rd at the NCAA Regionals in Auburn. Luo is the first North Alabama golfer to make the Division I NCAA Regionals in program history.
On the final day of the three-day tournament, Luo, a junior, finished with a two-over-par 74. He ended the tournament with a score of nine-over 225, rising nine spots from 52nd on the final day. Only 13 of the 78 golfers who recorded a round for the tournament finished under par.
“It’s a great experience,” Luo said. “The AU Club is a challenging course and I think I gave my best effort out there this week. It’s an honor to be the first player to represent UNA (in a Division I Regional).
“We can be here next year, the whole team, competing. I really think it’s going to happen.”
Luo’s 43rd bested nationally-ranked golfers such as No. 85 Enrique Dimayuga from SMU and No. 90 Purdue Sam Easterbrook, among others.
The Katy, Texas, native netted a 3.25 average on par-three holes for the tournament. Luo added three more birdies during the final round, good for eight total to rank among the top 30 golfers in the stat.
“What an amazing experience for Xing to play in the NCAA Regionals and it is well deserved,” said UNA Head Coach Austin Phillips. “He’s done so well all year and it’s a monumental occasion for our program. Can’t wait to see the rest of his career here at UNA and I know there’s only more to come for this program.”
