From University of Rochester Athletics
PITTSFORD, NY- UR senior to be Nick Palladino kept a tremendous 2012-13 year going even after the University of Rochester golf season came to an end nearly two months ago.
On Saturday, Palladino captured the 2013 Monroe Invitational Championship in a playoff over Duke's Motin Yeung at Monroe Golf Club, becoming the first ever Division III golfer to win the event in its 73 year history.
Palladino carded a final round 66 to lead the field and finish at -4 (206) after three rounds following the postponement of the second round Thursday due to rain.
"Once I found out I was in the playoff, I was just excited to play more golf" said Palladino. In the playoff, Palladino parred hole-18 for the first time in four tries during the week and won when Yeung made bogey.
"This is a huge victory," Palladino said. "I expected to play well, but I don't know if I expected to win. I expected to put a few good rounds together, but to win it is definitely an unbelievable feeling."
Entering the final round, Palladino sat three shots behind 36-hole leader Hunter Stewart of Vanderbilt, but at the turn, Palladino and Yeung had distanced themselves from the competition. Back to back birdies on 11 and 12 vaulted Palladino to the lead, only to see Yeung eagle the par-5 12th to jump back ahead at -4.
The UR senior would then tie for the lead after another birdie on the 15th hole, but again Yeung would answer and would earn a birdie 3 on 15 as well, jumping ahead by one stroke again.
On 17, Palladino would find trouble off the tee driving in the right rough. He then hit a remarkable second shot which saw him cut a ball 40 yards around a gigantic tree that stood in front of him in the right rough. His father who was caddying, asked before the shot 'What are you thinking?' and Palladino responded, '6-iron cut' only to hear dad respond with a simple 'OK', letting him go for it.
Channeling his inner Bubba Watson, Palladino cut his shot around the tree only to see it end just 8-feet from the hole where he would make birdie to tie for the lead at 5-under. "I hit an unbelieveable shot that saved my round without a doubt" he said.
On the 18th, Palladino bogeyed to drop to -4 and had to wait and see what Yeung would do with his one stroke lead. The UR senior wasn't upset though saying "I wasn't disappointed at all. I was hopeful to that I could get in a playoff and excited if that were to happen."
Yeung would make a bogey on his final hole, sending the two to a playoff back on the 18th tee where Palladino would eventually come out the victor, taking the MIC crown that numerous PGA professionals have won in the past. Notable winners of the event include Dustin Johnson (2007), DJ Trahan (2002), Erik Compton (2001), Bill Lunde (1998), Chris DiMarco (1988) and Jeff Sluman (1981).
Said UR head coach Dan Wesley "He enjoys every second that he's out there playing. He's good at the game because he loves it so much."
Monroe Invitational Championship Results
The icing on the cake for Palladino came on Monday when he was honored by the Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA) as a PING 3rd Team Division III All-American. It was the third straight year he has earned All-American honors, being named to the 3rd team all three years.
He won two events in 2012-13 including his third consecutive UAA Championship title in March, becoming the first ever player to win the title three times in the 25 year history of that event. He was a PING All-Region selection and was honored in being named the Liberty League's Player of the Year.
PING Division III All-Americans