STATESBORO – Georgia Southern's Mason Williams shot a tournament-low 66 in the final round to win the Thomas Sharkey Individual Collegiate by eight strokes Monday at the Georgia Southern University Golf Course.

It was Williams' second career win and sixth top-5 finish, and the senior was making his season debut after missing the fall campaign due to injury. 

Williams shot 73-72 in the first 36 holes on a windy, rainy and cold Sunday and entered today's final round with a two-shot lead. His 66 today topped the lowest round of the event, which saw a cumulative scoring average of 77.48, by three strokes.

Williams (-5) birdied two of his first three holes, made birdie at 8 and posted an eagle on 9. He added birdies at 15 and 18 for his final tally. He was one of four Eagles to finish in the top-12, and the other three were all freshmen. Jack Boltja shot a 70 today to tie with Brantley Baker (+8) for seventh. Hogan Ingram posted a 73 today to tie for 12th.

Scoring
Mason Williams – 73-72-66=211 (-5), 1
Jack Boltja – 73-81-70=224 (+8), T7
Brantley Baker – 73-75-76=224 (+8), T7
Hogan Ingram – 79-74-73=226 (+10), T12
Wilson Andress – 77-81-78=236 (+20), T32
Luke Dasher – 76-80-80=236 (+20), T32
Colin Bowles – 87-82-77=246 (+30), 40
Ian Glanton – 78-84-85=247 (+31), 41

Quotables from Coach Carter Collins
"The guys worked hard during the winter and were prepared for tournament golf, but there's still getting used to tournament emotions and nerves again, so it was nice to knock some of that rust off to get prepared for the Gator coming up this week. I'm very proud of all the guys for fighting through some really tough conditions, playing a really tough golf course and coming out on the good side of it."

On Mason Williams
"Mason wasn't able to play at all in the fall due to an injury, so this was his first collegiate event since regionals last May. He came in with a two-shot lead, he was hungry, and he played one of the best rounds I've seen played in a very long time. A 66 today was extremely impressive. I'm very proud of not only how he played but how he handled the moment."

Next Up
The Eagles play their first team event of the spring by competing in the Gator Invitational for the 21st consecutive season. The tournament, which is hosted by Florida, will be contested Feb. 12-13 at Mark Bostick Golf Course.