DECATUR, Ala. – University of South Alabama rising junior Brooks Rabren posted back-to-back scores in the 60s over the weekend, and with a final 7-under-par 277 total won the 50th annual Sprit of America Classic title on Sunday at the Burningtree Country Club.

Rabren — a native of Andalusia, Ala., who posted a 74.12 stroke average last season — fired a 3-under-par 68 Saturday after making the tournament cut, then followed up with a 4-under-par 67 to earn the victory by a three-shot margin over Troy signee Mac Murphy.  He was one of only five individuals out of the 45 who advanced to the weekend to break par for the event.

"It's been a great week," Rabren told the Decatur Daily after the last round. "I guess my expectations need to be a little higher in the future."

After making the turn in the final round with a one-stroke lead, Rabren clinched the win by birdying three of the last four holes to become to first Jag to claim the tournament since former All-American Heath Slocum in 1995.

Rabren shot a 72 Thursday over the opening 18 holes, and was 6-over par after the first three holes on Friday following a bogey and two double bogeys.  But he would respond by finishing the round with a 1-under-par 70, and after a second straight subpar round Saturday began the last day one shot off the lead.

"I was 6 over after 21 holes," said Rabren. "I just told myself it was early and I had a lot of holes left to make up for that bad start. That's not how I used to handle adversity.  In the past I would get really hot if things didn't go well.  I do a better job controlling my emotions and I play a lot better."

As a sophomore, Rabren recorded a pair of top-20 finishes and shot par or better in seven of 17 rounds highlighted by a 6-under-par 66 on the first day of the Steelwood Collegiate Invitational.

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