ZIMBABWE’S Sean Crocker came in with a 69 to compliment Andrew Levitt’s 66, as the University of Southern Carolina Athletics Trojans finished third behind Virginia and Texas at the Golf Club of Georgia Collegiate in the United States.

Crocker, had entered the weekend with USC’s lone top 10 finishes after the first two events, and tried to make a run for another top 10 but only settled for a tie for 16th at one-under 215 (74-72-69).

The top amateur had four birdies with a lone bogey on 16 at the back nine during the final round which he latter recorded a 69.

However, it was Rico Hoey (76-60-66) and Andrew Levitt (74-66-72) who went on to finish tied for ninth at four-under 212, each producing their first top 10 finishes of the season.

Hoey was on fire for most of the round, turning at three-under and getting to seven-under after three straight birdies between 13 and 15. Only a bogey on 17 slowed his round. Levitt got to six-under overall after an eagle on nine before bogeys on 14 and 18 left him tied with Hoey.

“We haven't played up to expectations this season thus far and for us to feel a little pressure and thrive the last couple days was huge for us,” Levitt said.

“We needed something to build off and we did that. We are all excited to compete next week at Cypress Point.
 
“The past couple of days was a big step for us,” said Hoey, who helped lead the Trojans to back-to-back NCAA semifinal appearances the last two years.

“We built off a lot of momentum from yesterday (Wednesday) and we knew if we posted up a number today we would have a shot. But overall we are heading in the right direction and we are ready for Cypress Point.”

The event was won by co-winners Virginia and Texas while  USC, which briefly moved into first midway through the back nine, tied for third with Stanford while Texas A&M was fifth at six-under and second-round leader Oklahoma finished sixth at five-under.

The finish was USC’s first in the top 3 after a tie for eighth to open the season at the OFCC/Fighting Illini Invite and a tie for sixth at the Nike Golf Collegiate.

The Trojans complete the fall schedule Oct. 31-Nov. 1 at the Stanford Classic at the Cypress Point G.C. in Monterey, California.