Utah And UNLV Are Co-Champs In Uniquely Dramatic Finish of Burns
KAUA‘I, Hawai‘i – In a uniquely dramatic ending, UNLV and Utah were crowned as co-champions of both the team and individual competitions in the 2025 John A. Burns Intercollegiate on Kaua‘i. The Runnin’ Rebels erased a six-shot deficit ahead of the final round. Their comeback tied the Utes at 22-under on the longest continuous stretch of oceanfront holes in Hawai‘i.
“This tournament’s thrilling finish exemplifies why we all love and play college athletics,” said UNLV men’s golf coach, Jean-Paul Hebert, who played on Texas’ 1994 NCAA Championship runner-up team. Hebert’s father, Jay, was the 1960 PGA Champion and 1971 Ryder Cup Captain. “We led our last event (Southwestern Invitational) before having a bad final day. Today, we came out with determination and focus. That’s what all five guys did. I’m proud and happy for UNLV, our fan base, alumni, players and especially co-individual winner, Zach Little.”
UNLV moves to second all-time in Burns’ team titles with five (1991, 1998, 1999, 2010, 2025), tying California and trailing only Oklahoma State with six.
Utah’s win was equally as impressive. The Utes’ victory on the Ocean Course at Hōkūala was their third team win in their last five stoke-play tournaments.
“After leading both days, it felt like everything had slipped away. All of a sudden, we made four birdies at the very end to regain a share of the lead,” recalled Utah men’s golf coach and program alumnus, Garrett Clegg. “It’s a testament to our player’s resilience. The Burns was a remarkable win for our program at Hōkūala. I’m so impressed and proud of our guy’s accomplishments.”
Other programs under par included third-place Santa Clara (-10) and four-place Long Beach State (-5). A three-way tie for fifth-place comprised of San Diego State, Illinois and Texas A&M (-3).
In the individual competition, UNLV’s Zach Little and Utah’s Gabriel Palacios finished the three-day, 54-hole tournament tied at 11-under (199). They were named co-individual champions. Both players shot 65 in the final round.
“I felt a sense of calm going into the final round. Growing up in England where the wind affects every shot, I was comfortable playing in the trades. I’ll forever cherish this great week at Hōkūala.”
The UNLV sophomore was all smiles after his first collegiate win. In Friday’s second round, Little’s 7-under 63 broke the Ocean Course at Hōkūala par-70 course record by one shot.
Joining Little on the first-place podium was Palacios. The Utah sophomore and former No. 1 junior golfer from Guatemala was the Utes’ highest finisher at the 2024 NCAA Regionals.
Utah’s Sergio Jimenez, the Spanish sophomore who began the final round with a two-shot lead, finished one stroke behind his teammate and Little in second-place (-10).
Long Beach State’s Jack Cantlay, the 2023 Big West Freshman of the Year and brother of 2021 FedEx Champion and eight-time PGA TOUR winner, Patrick Cantlay, finished in solo fourth (-8).
Justin Hastings, the 2025 Latin American Amateur Champion (LAAC) and San Diego State senior from the Cayman Islands, finished T8. He will compete in the Masters Tournament in April.
Statistically, the 473-yard par 4 15th was the most difficult hole. 83 bogeys and 44 doubles (or worse) were recorded with a 4.55 scoring average. Hole 10, a 571-yard par 5, produced a 4.5 scoring average, with 147 birdies and 11 eagles. The field comprised of 102 players.
The host Rainbow Warriors were led by sophomore Dane Watanabe (T51). The 2023 Hawai‘i High School Athletic Association (HHSAA) Individual State Champion finished at six-over.
All team and individual scores can be found here: SCOREBOARD