Baez Captures Runner-Up at National Golf Invitational

Friday, May 16

Maricopa, AZ

11 AM

University of Richmond

National Golf Invitational

Carson Baez poses with coach Adam Decker and the NGI runner-up trophyj

Baez Captures Runner-Up at National Golf Invitational

05/18/2025 | Men's Golf

Results

MARICOPA, Ariz. — Carson Baez capped a standout freshman season with a runner-up finish at the National Golf Invitational Sunday. Baez's 12-under (204) matched the second-lowest tournament score in Richmond men's golf history and earned him a spot in a playoff against Utah State's Enrique Karg, which Karg won on the first hole. Baez helped Richmond to a sixth-place team finish, with UR finishing at 3-over par (867) after shooting a third straght round of 1-over par Sunday.

"It was such a fun week," said Baez. "I truly enjoyed every moment of it and just felt very comfortable which has been a trend since [the A-10 Tournament]. Everything in my game was in a good spot all week, and some recent putting work has proven to work already since that was a weakness all season."

After making the turn at even par Sunday, Baez birdied the 11th, 13th, 14th and 17th holes to shoot 4-under on the back 9. He posted 12-under par and found himself in a playoff after Karg bogeyed the 17th and 18th holes.

"I handled the nerves very well and embraced it," said Baez. "Despite the playoff loss, i felt happy more than I was disappointed since it was the first opportunity I've had to be be in a playoff. Even with such good scores this week, I felt like more was out there and it's so exciting to feel that way."

Baez's 12-under 204 matched Cole Ekert at the 2024 Monterey Collegiate and the 2025 Loyola Intercollegiate and Daniel Walker at the 2013 NCAA Tallahassee Regional for the second-best tournament in program history, trailing only Ekert's 13-under at the 2023 VCU Shootout. It's the best tournament by a Spiders freshman by a five-shot margin.

"I'm proud of how Carson handled the week," said Spiders coach Adam Decker. "He was really consistent and stayed in a great frame of mind. It's been a great first year for him and I know he's got the potential for great things at Richmond. The growth he had over the first year is wonderful. He's got a high ceiling and with his work ethic good things are in store."

Junior Drew Carlin, the only upperclassman in the Spiders lineup this weekend, shot a 2-under 70 Sunday, his second-best round of the season. Carlin finished at 1-over par (217) and moved 10 spots up the individual leaderboard into a tie for 21st place, his best result of the season.

"Drew has big shoes to fill but is going to be a great senior leader for this team," said Decker. "He's well respected for his work ethic and will keep the boys headed in the right direction."

Sophomore Jack LaPiana finished at 7-over par (223), tied for 38th in the field. Freshman Tommy Sharps tied for 41st at 10-over par (226), while sophomore Parker Moellinger finished at 12-over par (228), tied for 46th.