Men's Golf

USA's Hovland, A-State's Luke Stirn Earn First Sun Belt Golfer of the Week Honors

MEN'S GOLFER OF THE WEEK
Zan Luka Stirn, Arkansas State (Junior, Kranj, Slovenia)

Zan Luka Stirn claimed a pair of top-15 finishes, including co-champion honors at the Lone Star Invitational, to help lead Arkansas State to a tournament championship and runner-up finish in its first two tournaments of the season. Stirn shot a 4-under 140 (70-70) at the Lone Start Invitational to pace the 84-player field as the Red Wolves finished runner-up out of 15 teams. He came back to place tied for 13th with a 2-under 142 (70-72) at the 10th annual Golfweek Conference Challenge, which A-State won with a 23-under 580. The Red Wolves finished ahead of teams such as 21st-ranked UCLA as they became the first team not from a Power 5 conference to win the tournament. Stirn captured his second career individual title at the Lone Star Invitational and finished the two tournaments with a combined 70.5 stroke average. He posted a score under par in three of his four rounds played.

WOMEN'S GOLFER OF THE WEEK
Julie Hovland, South Alabama (Sophomore, Bergen, Norway)

Julie Hovland placed fifth individually with a three-under-par 213 at the USA Intercollegiate held Saturday through Monday at the Magnolia Grove - Crossings course in Mobile, Ala. The sophomore tied her career-low 54-hole score (213) and low round (70) to pick up her fifth top-10 finish as a Jaguar. She tied for fifth overall on par-5 scoring (4.67, -4), carded 10 birdies, and was the highest finisher among 27 Sun Belt competitors.