Courtesy of LA Tech Athletic Communications
Louisiana Tech led from start to finish in the stroke play portion of the 2024 Conference USA Men’s Golf Championship, shooting 286 (-2) in round three on Wednesday at the Texarkana Country Club to lock up the No. 1 seed for match play.
LA Tech makes match play for a second straight year, shooting 280-294-286=860 (-4) to finish three strokes better than second-place Sam Houston after 54 holes. Liberty earned the No. 3 seed while UTEP jumped a spot on the team leaderboard to snag the No. 4 seed.
“The consistency that we showed leading from start to finish, I feel like this is something that has been building with this team,” said Tech head coach Matt Terry. “We played solid for the most part today other than a couple of holes. We did what we needed to do today to get ourselves into match play. All five of these guys helped us in some way during stroke play. Now, I am excited about having the opportunity to another shot at winning a championship.”
Once again, the Bulldogs played smart golf. The team combined for just one double bogey, which came on the Par 3 No. 13 that was only hole that gave the squad fits.
With the Bearkats making a charge at the top spot on the team leaderboard, LA Tech shot a combined three-under on the final four holes to clinch the top seed.
Niilo Maki-Petaja was two-over for the day through 11, but the freshman made three birdies in his last seven holes to shoot 71 (-1) and finish in third place as an individual (69-72-71=212) at -4.
Meanwhile, for a second straight day Hunter Battles had the top scoreboard for LA Tech shooting 70 (-2). Aside from back-to-back bogeys on No. 13 and No. 14, the fifth-year senior who tied for fifth was steady including on the Par 5 No. 16 where he tapped in for birdie after making it on the green in two.
Will Patrick bounced back after a 78 in round two to post a 72 (E), matching his round from day one. Back-to-back birdies on No. 15 and No. 16 helped the senior record his second round at par for the event. He tied for 19th in the player leaderboard along with Thomas Henson who shot 75 (+3) in round three.
Lake Juban was the third Bulldog to finish in the top 10, claiming a 9th-place finish as an individual after completing his 54 holes with a 73 (+1). The fifth-year senior shot a 35 on the front, but only one blunder on No. 13 set him back with a 38.
LA Tech will take on No. 4 seed UTEP in the semifinals of match play today. The first tee time will be at 8 a.m. CT on hole one.
