July 18, 2008

TOKYO, Japan -- UAB's Zack Sucher finished with a 1-0-2 record to help lead Team USA to a 37-23 win over Japan at the Fuji Xerox USA vs. Japan Collegiate Golf Championship at Tokyo Golf Club. Team USA won eight and halved two of the days 12 matches, to claim the final 18 of the final 24 points during the final day.

Sucher and Tomohiro Wakabayashi halved the round's second match of the final round. During his second round match, Sucher and Yuki Usami halved the final men's match, 71-71. Sucher left a putt two inches short that would have clinched the match before Usami drained a nine-footer for the halve.

Ryan Spears again played the first match for the U.S. and again staged a dramatic comeback, trailing by two shots with two holes remaining before halving his match against Yoshihiro Kamei. America would respond by winning the next four matches. Kevin O'Connell posted his second round in the 60s and his third win of the tournament with a 69-73 win against Hiroki Nishida. Chris Wolfe joined O'Connell as the only other player with a perfect record in the event after downing Daisuke Okabe, 72-73. Nick Bova birdied his first four holes and cruised to a 68-77 victory over Shunsuke Sonoda. Andrew Putnam took the lead after the second hole in his match against Hiroki Abe and never looked back, winning 70-73. Japan claimed its first victory of the day - a Yuki Usami's 72-76 decision over Brent Witcher - before Sam Cyr clinched the team championship by beating Shintaro Kobayashi, 69-71.

The U.S. women won their first three matches. Jessica Yadloczky birdied her first hole before racing out to a nine-shot victory against Nanae Shinzato after firing three-under-par 71. Lizette Salas led wire-to-wire in her 73-77 win against Yumi Takabayashi. Cydney Clanton won America's final match, beating Kaori Azuma 78-80. Hiroko Ayada claimed the final match, 75-78, over Sydnee Michaels.

Team USA's Michaels (219) and O'Connell (208) were named the tournament's women's and men's MVPs, respectively, after posting the lowest three-day stroke total. Michaels was also named Miss Ambassador as voted by the Japanese team.