CHAPEL HILL, N.C. –
Erik Johansson finished in 67th place after Wednesday's final round of the NCAA Chapel Hill Regional at the Finley Golf Club.
Tenth seed and nationally No. 59 ranked Clemson claimed team honors at 25-under par (275-266-274—815), one shot ahead of fourth-seed East Tennessee State. Host and top-seeded North Carolina was third at 20-under, while Georgia Tech (-17) and Baylor (-15) also qualified for the NCAA Championship.
North Carolina's Austin Greaser won individual honors at 13-under on the on the par-70, 7084-yard Davis Love III redesign. Nick Matthews of NC State and Johnny Keefer of Baylor tied for second, one stroke back. Matthews earned the regional's individual berth to the NCAA Championship, which will be held May 24-19 at the Champions Course at the Omni LaCosta Resort & Spa in Carlsbad, Calif.
"It was special playing such a hard golf course and the way they set it up was quite different from other tournaments," said Johansson. "Obviously, it wasn't the result I wanted, but one of my main goals for the season was to make the regionals. I wish I could have played a little better, but there were a lot of positives out there."
The Coastal Athletic Association rookie of the year, Johansson (72-77-78—227) concluded his first collegiate season by earning one of 45 individual spots among the six regional championships.
"Erik didn't have his best stuff, and he'll be the first one to admit that, but the great thing about this week is that he got a taste of it and got to experience golf at the NCAA postseason level," said Campbell associate head coach
Matt Moot. "That will make him want to come back and work that much harder. He can play at this level, there's no doubt about that. His finish this week certainly doesn't take anything away from the great season he has had."
Johansson completed the year with a 72.26 stroke average, which stands second among Campbell freshmen all time. Only current Korn Ferry Tour member
Pontus Nyholm (71.56 in '2017-18) has recorded a better scoring average as a freshman in Campbell history. His 18 even or under-par rounds is tied for eight in the program's Division I era, while his stroke average ranks 19th overall in a single season among Campbell golfers.
Notes: Johansson's selection marks the seventh time in the last eight seasons Campbell will participate in NCAA men's postseason play. The Camels earned a place as a team in 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2021.
Henrik Lilja competed as an individual in the 2022 NCAA Palm Beach Gardens Regional. The 2020 season was not completed due to the Covid-19 pandemic… Under the direction of head coach
John Crooks, Campbell has participated in NCAA regional play in 15-straight seasons in either men's or women's competition. In Crooks' 34 years as head coach in Buies Creek, his men's and women's teams have combined for 39 postseason appearances.
NCAA Chapel Hill Regional
Chapel Hill, N.C. / Finley GC
May 13-15, 2024 / Par 70, 7084 Yards
Final Team Results (Top 5 Qualify for NCAA Championship): 1. Clemson 275-266-274—815, 2. East Tennessee State 274-265-277—816, 3. North Carolina 271-276-273—820, 4. Georgia Tech 273-277-273—823, 5. Baylor 276-273-276—825, 6. Alabama 276-277-273—826, 7. Long Beach State 277-273-277—827, 8. VCU 280-284-267—831, 9. Loyola Marymount 278-282-277—837, T10. Ball State 273-288-288—849, T10. Michigan State 280-282-287—849, 12. Northwestern 284-287-283—854, 13. Howard 295-293-301—889.
Final Individual Leaders: 1. Austin Greaser (UNC) 66-65-667—197, T2. *Nick Mathews (NC State) #, T2. Johnny Keefer (Baylor) 67-64-67—198, 4. Charlie Forster (Long Beach State) 65-69-65—199, T5. Riley Lewis (Loyola Marymount) 65-70-65—200, T5. Calahan Keever (Clemson) 65-65-70—200.
* individual competitor; # NCAA Championship individual qualifier
Campbell Individual: *67
Erik Johansson 72-77-78—227.
