After claiming first at the Arizona National Invitational Tournament on Jan. 27, No. 6 Texas men’s golf finished as runner-up to No. 5-ranked Auburn in the Amer Ari Invitational at Mauna Lani Resort in Waimea, Hawaii.

Despite falling short of the victory, the Longhorns left their mark on the school’s historic legacy. Texas posted a 54-hole score of 800 and finished 64-under par, both program records previously set at last year’s Amer Ari Invitational.

The event marked the most competitive field the Longhorns have faced all season. Of the 20 teams featured, eight teams ranked inside the top 25, including four in the top 10, according to Clippd Scoreboard. 

The Longhorns rebounded after a slow start on Thursday, sitting in seventh and 13 strokes off the lead following the opening round. Texas senior Luke Potter impressed early, carding a career-best, bogey-free 9-under 63 with seven birdies and an eagle to keep the Longhorns within striking distance. 

Potter led the Longhorns individually, finishing fourth with an impressive 18-under 198 (63-65-70). After recording a best finish of sixth place during the fall season, Potter has now posted back-to-back top-five finishes. 

Ranked No. 7 in PGA TOUR University rankings, Potter had an impressive showing at the Arizona National Invitational Tournament last week, earning second place with a 54-hole score of 12-under 204. His performance earned him Southeastern Conference Men’s Co-Golfer of the Week, marking the first career weekly SEC award for the senior. 

Texas jumped to third after a 36-hole total of 533, 43-under par, and just four strokes off the lead on Friday. 

The Longhorns closed the tournament with a 21-under final round on Saturday to secure second place, highlighted by strong performances from senior duo Tommy Morrison and Christiaan Maas. 

Morrison shot an 8-under 64 on Saturday, jumping 11 spots to move into a tie for eighth at 16-under 200. Morrison recently jumped to the No. 3 spot in the PGA TOUR University Ranking. Maas joined him with a 7-under 65. 

This marks the fourth time both Morrison and Maas finished in the top eight individually in six events this season. 

Graduate student Matt Comegys and sophomore Eduardo Derbez Torres also posted solid final round efforts, helping Texas climb from third into the runner-up spot.

The runner-up finish comes after the Longhorns carded an impressive three-day score of 41-under par 823 at the Arizona National Invitational Tournament to defeat Arizona by just one stroke. 

Texas returns to competition March 1-3 at the Southern Highlands Collegiate in Las Vegas.