Courtesy of LA Tech Athletic Communications
Louisiana Tech made an early run to get within striking distance of finishing in the top four for match play but struggles late in the round led to the Bulldogs placing seventh at the 2025 Conference USA Men’s Golf Championship on a wet and muggy Wednesday.
Unlike the previous two rounds, LA Tech came out firing on the front nine at the Texarkana Country Club. The ‘Dogs made six birdies on the first six holes to start round three, but the stretch of 13-16 resulted in too many bogeys. As a result, LA Tech shot 288 (E) for the round and six over for the tournament.
Riley Hnatyshyn had the round of the day for the Bulldogs. The junior got to five under after making three consecutive birdies to start the back nine. Following a rough stretch, he closed out his round with another bird on No. 17 to shoot a career-low 69 (-3).
Niilo Maki-Petaja got off to a strong start, sinking a birdie on the opening hole. However, his other only birdies would come on No. 14 and No. 15 to shoot 72 (E), finishing the three-day event at three under to tie for sixth on the player leaderboard.
Jake Plumb was three over through 15, but the sophomore capitalized on back-to-back birdies on No. 16 and No. 17 to shoot 73 (+1). The fourth scorecard used was that of Morton Bailey who shot 74 (+2).
Liberty ended up winning stroke play at 15 under. The Flames advance to match play along with Sam Houston, Kennesaw State, and UTEP (won in a playoff over New Mexico State).
