A victory always leaves a great taste, but what José Manuel Berenguel (-7) has achieved in the United States goes beyond that.
He has triumphed in the PGA Works Collegiate, which was played at none other than Whistling Straits, host of the Ryder Cup in 2021 and three PGA Championships. The Almerian not only won, but dominated as the only player to finish under par and with a ten-shot lead over the runner-up.
José Manuel Berenguel strolled where Vijay Singh in 2004, Martin Kaymer in 2010, and Jason Day in 2015 lifted a Major. Quite something.
The second round of the player from Playa de Serena is simply one to remember. 64 strokes on the Pete Dye course with nine birdies and a lone bogey. Referring to the last Major played there ten years ago, only Hiroshi Iwata with 63 strokes signed a better round than the Spaniard this week. Of course, the course setup in both tournaments is not comparable, but the result clearly shows the Spaniard’s exhibition.
The absolute Andalusian international champion of 2024 thus achieves his fourth victory across the pond and confirms his great form after his third place in his conference tournament and second place in the TSU Big Blue Intercollegiate last month.
His great performance also earned University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff a historic victory for the university. This victory marks their first HBCU National Championship in men’s golf.
On the final day, characterised by difficult weather conditions, the Golden Lions finished with rounds of +23 over par (291, 280, and 311), culminating in a team total of 882 over the three days. This performance secured them a 32-shot victory over Prairie View A&M and North Carolina A&T, both tied for second place at +55.
