Golfweek Names Burnett to All-America 2nd Team

Golfweek has named University of North Carolina sophomore Ryan Burnett a second-team All-America and junior Ryan Gerard an honorable mention selection, the magazine announced Tuesday.

Burnett (Lafayette, Calif.) is one of five freshmen and sophomores named to one of Golfweek's top two All-America squads. He led UNC in stroke average in 2019-20 (70.21 in eight events) and had one win, two seconds and a third-place finish.

Burnett's second-team All-America honor is the highest earned by a Tar Heel since Kevin O'Connell was a first-team All-America in 2008. He is one of four Atlantic Coast Conference golfers named to either the first or second team.

"Ryan's course management and self-management side of his game have grown tremendously," says Tar Heel head coach Andrew DiBitetto. "He's an incredible ball-striker and one of the best drivers of the golf ball I've seen. Many athletes want to love pressure, but Ryan truly does. There have already been many moments in his young college career where he has thrived under difficult situations."

Gerard (Raleigh, N.C.) averaged 71.08 strokes this past season, during which he finished in the top seven in five of his eight starts, including a runner-up performance at the John Burns Intercollegiate in Hawai'i.

"Ryan is a bit old-school in that he is supremely skilled when it comes to his imagination, creativity and being able to control the shape and trajectory of shots," says DiBitetto. "He understands himself, his game, and (on-course) situations exceptionally well. He also has an outstanding short game. I'd put his short game up against any other player's in the country."

Players Mentioned

Ryan Burnett

Ryan Gerard

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