BROOKSVILLE, Fla. – The Wichita State men's golf team put together a pair of strong rounds to open play at the American Athletic Conference Championship, but had to settle for seventh place after a difficult final 18 at Southern Hills Plantation Club.

SMU claimed the team title with a 29-under 835, a new American Athletic Conference record. The Mustangs were led by individual medalist Nathan Petronzio (68-66-69—203, -13), who bested Run Youprayong of South Florida and Marcus Wochner of Houston by two strokes apiece.

The Shockers (287-286-298—871, +10) were in good position after play on Saturday, entering the final round in a tie for third after a 286 put them at 3-under par. But WSU struggled on the tournament's final day, shooting 10-over for the afternoon. Four of the five golfers in the lineup carded a 75, while Michael Winslow signed for a 73 for his best round of the weekend. That 298 allowed UCF, Memphis and Cincinnati to leapfrog the Shockers on the leaderboard.

Dawson Lewis (70-68-75—213, -3) was the top finisher for the Shockers, checking in at 13th place. His second round 68 featured four birdies on the back nine, as well as Wichita State's lone eagle of the tournament on the par-five fifth. Lewis excelled on the par-4s, shooting 4-under on such holes for the tournament, tied for the fourth-best mark in the field.

The low round of the weekend belonged to Brock Polhill (72-67-75—214, -2), who finished in a tie for 14th. He fired seven birdies on his way to a 67, one stroke off his career high. Polhill did most of his damage on par-5s, ending the championship at -5.

Joe Bultman (71-76-75—222, +6) tied for 32nd, highlighted by an opening round 71 that included four birdies. He also notched 37 pars, tied for fifth-most in the field. Michael Winslow (75-75-73—223, +7) finished strong with a final round 73, rallying from a double-bogey on five to shoot 1-under for the remainder of the round. Lucas Scheufler (74-83-75—232, +16) was undone by a challenging Saturday, ending the weekend in a tie for 40th.

FINAL STANDINGS
1. SMU
2. South Florida
3. Houston
4. UCF
5. Cincinnati
6. Memphis
7. Wichita State
8. Temple
9. East Carolina