Courtesy of LA Tech Athletics Communications
Louisiana Tech’s Niilo Maki-Petaja shot 76 on Wednesday in the final round at the Seminole Legacy Golf Club, tying for 43rd at the NCAA Tallahassee Regional.
The sophomore got off to a hot start, sitting at two under through six holes. However, the Bulldog would shoot six over the rest of the way with a string of bogeys to end the front nine and a trio on the back to shoot four over for round three and 222 (72-74-76) for the event.
Maki-Petaja enjoyed playing the short par 4 No. 2 all week. After pushing his drive up close to the green, he would make birdie on the hole for a third consecutive day. Two holes later, he splashed a bunker shot within two feet, which he made for birdie to quickly get to -2 and Even for the regional.
Following a pair of pars, Maki-Petaja was on the green in two at the Par 4 No. 7. However, a three-putt resulted in his first bogey of the round. After missing the green on both eight and nine, bogeys ensued to card a 37 on the front.
After two great drives and approach shots to start the back nine, Maki-Petaja was unable to make eight birdie opportunity and settled for pars.
Those would be his last good looks for birdie as the Bulldog made bogeys on No. 12, No. 13, and No. 16, ultimately shooting 39 on the back.
Host Florida State, ranked No. 11 in the country, ran away with the regional title as a team, shooting 29 under for the event to win by nine strokes. Seminole Luke Clanton led from start to finish as an individual, claiming the title after shooting 15 under.
