The Clemson Tigers started the final round of the Puerto Rico Classic eight shots behind a pair of top-10 teams.

Doc Redman birdied his final two holes to help the Tigers to the come from behind victory in Puerto Rico. (file photo)

The Tigers trailed 8th ranked Oklahoma and 7th ranked Georgia Tech, but ran down the leaders and held off a challenge from top-ranked Alabama for a one shot victory.

“It was a great comeback victory against a strong field,” said Clemson coach Larry Penley as his team won the Classic for the fourth time, including each of the last two years.

Freshman Turk Pettit continued his outstanding play and earned second place with his final round 1-under par 70. Pettit finished 2-shots behind Lee Hodges of Alabama for the individual title.

Colby Patton, another Tiger freshman finished the tournament at even par to finish in a seventh place tie. US Amateur champion Doc Redman finished in a tie for 17th place after shooting a final round 70.

“Doc and Colby made a lot of clutch putts and Turk was solid as a rock all week,” said the Clemson coach.

Redman may have made the difference for the Tigers win when he birdied his final two holes to card a 70 and give the Tigers a one stroke victory margin.

Clemson golf coach Larry Penley guided his team to the 75th tournament title of his career. (file photo)

The sophomore, who won the 2017 US Amateur,  finished on the par five fifth and par four sixth holes.   He had a two-putt birdie from 30 feet on the fifth, then hit his drive on the 344-yard par four to within seven yards of the hole.  He chipped to three feet and made the short birdie putt.

Junior All-American Bryson Nimmer finished in 21^st place Nimmer played his final seven holes in two under par, another key to Clemson’s comeback victory.

The victory by the Tigers was the 75th win coached at Clemson by Penley. It was also the teams third largest come from behind win in the school’s history.

The Tigers will next tee it up at the Bandon Dunes Championship starting on March 11th.

Clemson Women finish in 14th place at Sugar Bowl Intercollegiate

Clemson’s women’s team finished in 14th place at the English Turn Golf and Country Club in New Orleans.

Alice Hewson shot a final round 77 to finish in a tie for 32nd place.

Florida won the team title and he Gators Sierra Brooks took home the individual title at the event.