Arizona Men's Golf has several successful golf alumni from rapidly rising rookies to Ryder Cup captains. Here's a look at how some former Wildcats are playing in the pro's.
George Cunningham ('18) is continuing his strong debut as a pro golfer, earning his Web.com Tour status in just four months. The Mackenzie Tour brought Cunningham, a Tucson local, six top ten finishes in 12 events played, a win at the Golf BC Championship and ranked second in Order of Merit. He played in his first TOUR event in November and tied for 36
th at the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open. Most recently, Cunningham played in the Web.com Tour Qualifying Tournament, though he also earned his spot for the 2019 season.
Nate Lashley ('08) earned his PGA TOUR card in 2018 and has played in twenty events. In his first TOUR season, Lashley had two top 25 finishes, his best being at the Zurich Classic in New Orleans, where he tied for 15
th at 15-under par. The Nebraska native has had a strong start to the 2019 TOUR season, where he has already tabbed two top twenty finishes, at the Safeway Open and the Sanderson Farms Championship. Lashley is currently ranked 93
rd in the FedEx Cup standings.
Ricky Barnes ('03) has played 12 seasons of professional golf since graduating the UofA and joined the PGA TOUR. In the 2018 season, Barnes played in 22 events and finished with four top-25 finishes and one top-10 finish. The Stockton, Calif. native had his best finish at the Sanderson Farms Championship, where he tied for 10
th. Brother of former Wildcat All-American Golfer Andy Barnes and brother-in-law of
Erika Barnes, the Executive Senior Associate Director of Athletics for the University of Arizona, the family name is infamous within Arizona Athletics.
Rory Sabattini ('98) is now a golf veteran, as he is entering his 21
st year on the PGA TOUR. The South African native had five top twenty finishes in the 2018 season, including a tie for 5
th at the Valspar Championship. Sabbattini is in the midst of the 2019 season, where he already had a top twenty finish at the Sanderson Farms Championship.
Jim Furyk ('92) joined the PGA TOUR in 1994 and has become one of the most respected golfers in the sport. Throughout his extensive career, Furyk is 49
th on the all-time TOUR career wins list, with 17 titles and one Major to his name. Most recently, Furyk was captain of the 2018 Ryder Cup team, a first time honor held by the nine-time Ryder Cup team participant. More recently, Furyk finished in a tie for 6
th at the Mayakoba Golf Classic, where he shot four rounds under 70, going 17-under par.
