University of Memphis Athletics
Tiger golfer Isaiah Jackson ends 2018 with a bang
Jan 01, 2019 | Men's Golf
Junior wins prestigious Patriot All-America Invitational by three strokes
LITCHFIELD PARK, Ariz. – There's no need to wish University of Memphis golfer Isaiah Jackson a Happy New Year. Jackson is ushering in 2019 on a winning note following a remarkable final three days of 2018.
A junior from Golden, Miss., Jackson shot a final round even-par 70 in rainy, cold conditions Monday to win the Patriot All-America Invitational presented by the Valley Toyota Dealers at The Wigwam Resort. Jackson's 5-under par 205 (67-68-70) was three shots better than second-place finishers Alex Scott from Grand Valley State University (68-67-73-208) and Quade Cummins from the University of Oklahoma (70-66-72-208).Â
Jackson, the wire-to-wire leader of the tournament, played in honor of his great grandfather U.S. Army Private First Class Willie B. McGill. Private First Class McGill was killed in combat action on Dec. 4, 1944.
"Honestly, throughout the day, I had no idea where I was at on the leaderboard," Jackson said. "I mean I knew I was in the lead at the beginning of the day. After about nine holes, I really didn't know where I stood, how everybody else was playing. I just tried to stick to my game plan, stay within myself, continue hitting good shots and making putts and that was pretty much it."
As much as he tried to block out where he stood, it became apparent as he finished his final hole.
"Coming off 18, everybody started clapping (after) I hit the par putt, so I just assumed I had won you know," he said. "I didn't know I was in the lead by three, so it feels pretty good."
Tiger coach Blake Smart called it "the biggest win for a Tiger in a long time."
The victory completed a strong finish to the year. In the UofM's final fall event – the East Bay Deli Classic Nov. 4-6 at Kiawah, S.C. – Jackson shot 7-under 209 to claim a share of the individual title.
"This is what we foresaw when we recruited Isaiah," Smart added. "He showed signs of this type of play at the end of the fall, but to go win on this stage takes a certain talent that most do not have. I'm proud of Isaiah and excited about his future as a leader for our program."
With his Patriot All-America victory, Jackson receives a sponsor exemption into the Web.com Tour's Wichita Open played June 20-23 at Crestview Country Club in Wichita, Kansas.
TOURNAMENT NOTES
* Past Patriot All-America champions include: Mason Overstreet from Arkansas (2017); Cameron Champ from Texas A&M (2016); Braden Thornberry from Ole Miss (2015); Kyle Kochevar from the University of Virginia (2014); Kyle Westmoreland from the Air Force Academy (2013); Sebastian Cappelen from the University of Arkansas (2012); and Cory Whitsett from the University of Alabama (2011).
* Now in its 8th year, the Patriot All-America Invitational is a golf tournament unlike any other, as participants play in honor of a fallen or severely injured soldier by carrying a golf bag bearing the name of that soldier. Before the tournament, participants receive a card with the soldier's story, so they can be familiar with who that person was, what they represented and how they were killed or wounded in action. The Patriot All-America has been honoring fallen or severely wounded soldiers in this unique way since the event's inception in 2011 and it continues to have a deep impact on the young golfers.
* The Patriot All-America Invitational features a field of 84 PING All-America golfers from all three NCAA Divisions, NAIA and NJCAA rankings as well as from U.S. Military Academies and universities outside the United States. The Patriot All-America is a collaboration between the Arizona Golf Association, JDM Partners, The West Valley Mavericks and the Golf Coaches Association of America in partnership with the Folds of Honor Foundation. The Thunderbirds, hosts of the PGA TOUR's Waste Management Phoenix Open, volunteer at and support the event.
Players Mentioned
