2018 VanDerLaan Claims Division II Arnold Palmer National Individual Champion Award

STILLWATER, Okla. – Florida Southern’s John VanDerLaan claimed the Division II Arnold Palmer National Individual Champion Award for earning medalist honors at the NCAA Championships.

A five-hole birdie streak and eight birdie’s overall powered VanDerLaan to an opening round 66 and a two-stroke lead. He turned in another strong second round with bogey-free 68. However, Barry’s Jorge Garcia posted a 9-under 63 to move to 11-under for the tournament and one shot ahead of VanDerLaan.

In the third and final stroke-play round, VanDerLaan was again bogey free. He claimed the lead when a birdie at No. 3 was followed by a Garcia double bogey at the fifth. VanDerLaan extended his lead with birdies at Nos. 8, 10 and 12. He slammed the door shut by closing with three straight birdies to move to 17-under and post a four-shot victory

The win was VanDerLaan’s eighth of the season.