Isaiah Jackson from the University of Memphis Wins 2018 Patriot All-America Invitational

(LITCHFIELD PARK, Ariz.) – Isaiah Jackson, a junior at the University of Memphis, shot a final round even-par 70 to win the Patriot All-America Invitational presented by the Valley Toyota Dealers at The Wigwam Resort in Litchfield Park, Ariz. Jackson’s 5-under par 205 (67-68-70) was three shots better than second place finishers Alex Scott from Grand Valley State University (68-67-73-208) and Quade Cummins from the University of Oklahoma (70-66-72-208).

Isaiah Jackson

Jackson, the wire-to-wire leader of the tournament and a native of Golden, Mississippi, played in honor of his great grandfather U.S. Army Private First Class Willie B. McGill. Private First Class McGill was killed in combat action on December 4th, 1944. With his Patriot All-America victory, Jackson receives a sponsor exemption into the Web.com Tour’s Wichita Open played June 20 - 23 at Crestview Country Club in Wichita, Kansas.

Under rainy and cold conditions with temperatures hovering around 43 degrees, UCLA senior Jack Ireland shot a tournament record-low round of 7-under 63.  Ireland started the day 12-shots behind the leaders in 51st position. His round of 63 included 8 birdies and one bogey and was 5 shots better than the second-best round of the day (Alex Schaake from the Univ. of Iowa). The final round scoring average was 75.

Past Patriot All-America champions include: Mason Overstreet from Arkansas (2017); Cameron Champ from Texas A&M (2016); Braden Thornberry from the University of Mississippi (2015); Kyle Kochevar from the University of Virginia (2014); Kyle Westmoreland from the Air Force Academy (2013); Sebastian Cappelen from the University of Arkansas (2012); and Cory Whitsett from the University of Alabama (2011).

Now in its 8th year, the Patriot All-America Invitational is a golf tournament unlike any other, as participants play in honor of a fallen or severely injured soldier by carrying a golf bag bearing the name of that soldier. Before the tournament, participants receive a card with the soldier’s story, so they can be familiar with who that person was, what they represented and how they were killed or wounded in action. The Patriot All-America has been honoring fallen or severely wounded soldiers in this unique way since the event’s inception in 2011 and it continues to have a deep impact on the young golfers.

The Patriot All-America Invitational features a field of 84 PING All-America golfers from all three NCAA Divisions, NAIA and NJCAA rankings as well as from U.S. Military Academies and universities outside the United States. The Patriot All-America is a collaboration between the Arizona Golf Association, JDM Partners, The West Valley Mavericks and the Golf Coaches Association of America in partnership with the Folds of Honor Foundation. The Thunderbirds, hosts of the PGA TOUR’s Waste Management Phoenix Open, volunteer at and support the event.

Patriot All-America alumni now playing on the PGA TOUR, include three-time major winner Brooks Koepka (2011 Patriot participant); Justin Thomas (2011); Daniel Berger (2012); Bryson DeChambeau (2013); and Cameron Champ, the 2016 Patriot All-America Invitational champion.

For more information, visit www.patriotallamerica.com.