State College, Pa., May 3, 2000 --- Penn State golfer Matt Abbott (Endwell, N.Y.) has been named the Big Ten Golfer of the Week, conference officials announced Wednesday afternoon.

Abbott claimed the honor after a superb performance last weekend at the Rutherford Invitational which saw him claim the individual title and finish in a tie for the second-best three round total in the tournament¡¯s history. The junior shot a 212 (74-71-67) over the three-round tourney, including a solid final round total of 67 to clinch the individual championship.

Abbott helped Penn State overcome a 12-stroke deficit entering the final round to claim the team championship. The Nittany Lions finished the event with a tournament record 54-hole team total of 871.

Abbott, who owns a stroke average of 72.81 this season, is the second Penn State golfer to be honored by the conference this season. Jeff Turton (Ithaca, N.Y.) was recognized as Big Ten Golfer of the Week on March 19.

Penn State returns to action on May 5-7 when it begins play at the 2000 Big Ten Championships at the Birck Boilermaker Golf Complex in West Lafayette, Ind.