Hether Runner-Up in Mexico after Final-Hole Duel at DII Shootout at PGA Riviera Maya
- mm4473
- Sep 30
- 2 min read
Set against the jungle backdrop of Akumal, Mexico, the DII Shootout at PGA Riviera Maya tested players with heat, wind, and a championship layout built for drama. The Robert Trent Jones II design has hosted the Bupa Championship on PGA TOUR Americas and is now home to the Korn Ferry Tour’s Tulum Championship, underscoring the venue’s pro-level pedigree .
Easton Hether – Runner-Up Finish
Hether entered the final round in solo second and battled back from mid-round trouble to tie for the lead on 18. His birdie looked poised to win it, but eventual champion Peyton Jones of Colorado Christian made eagle to take the title by one stroke. Hether closed with a runner-up finish at +2 (218), just shy of his first collegiate victory.
“I felt momentum in my favor early and tried to grind it out till the end,” Hether said. “I fell a little short but learned from today.”
The runner-up performance on a professional-caliber course reinforced Hether’s ability to contend under pressure against a strong Division II field.
Cooper Groshart – Lessons in a Tough Week
Groshart endured a challenging three days, posting rounds of 79, 80, and 83 to finish +26 (T55). Though the scores weren’t what he hoped for, the week provided valuable competitive reps on a layout that regularly stages PGA TOUR–sanctioned events .
Team Leaderboard
In the team race, West Texas A&M claimed the championship at +29 (893), with Colorado State–Pueblo and UT Tyler sharing second at +39 (903). Cal State East Bay, Hether and Groshart’s squad, finished just outside the top three in fourth at +41 (905) — a strong showing in a competitive 15-team field.
Looking Ahead
Hether’s narrow miss — decided by a final-hole eagle — showcased his ability to challenge for wins at this level, while Groshart gained meaningful experience to build on. Combined with a top-four team finish, the week in Mexico adds momentum heading into the heart of the fall season.
Easton Heather and Cooper Groshart are represented by agent Moe Montoya.
