Louisiana Tech Athletic Communications
Louisiana Tech saved its best round of the season for day one of the 2024 Conference USA Men’s Golf Championship, firing an 8-under 280 to sit atop the leaderboard with a 7-stroke lead at the Texarkana Country Club.
LA Tech was in the middle of the pack through the first six holes, but a strong finish to the front nine vaulted the Bulldogs into first. They continued to extend their lead on the back nine where they separated themselves from the pack thanks in large part to the play of Lake Juban.
“We had a good start today,” said head coach Matt Terry. “The guys were really solid on the back. It was great to see all five guys in the mix with each other all day. Anytime you can throw out a 74, it is a good day. We have more work left to do and I know the team is looking forward to continuing to grind tomorrow.”
After 18 holes, the senior found himself in the same place he was after round one at last season’s championship. That it is first. After posting back-to-back bogeys to finish the front nine with a 37, Juban dropped in six birdies on the back to shoot 68 (-4) which has him in a tie atop the player leaderboard.
Niilo Maki-Petaja is one stroke behind him, tied for third after tallying a bogey-free 69 (-3). Despite a bogey on the par four No. 18 to finish his round, Thomas Henson still landed in the red with a 71 (-1) putting him in a tie for sixth.
The fourth scorecard used came from Will Patrick who is also in the top 10 after shooting a 34 on the back to help the senior finish with a 72 (E).
LA Tech sank 20 birdies as a team, the most in the field, while avoiding any big numbers. They were particularly good on the par fives where they shot eight under as a team with zero bogeys.
Middle Tennessee is in second after 18 holes with a 287 (-1), the only other team in the red. Liberty (290) and UTEP (291) round out the top four going into day two.
LA Tech will be paired with Middle Tennessee for round two of the CUSA Championship. Hunter Battles will be the first Bulldog to tee off at 8 a.m. CT.
