EATONTON, Ga. – The Louisiana Tech men's golf team had its third top-five team finish of the season after placing fourth at the Linger Longer Invitational with a -4 (290-283-287=860).
 
"The guys played well this week," head coach Matt Terry said. "There were a lot of positives to take back to Ruston. We had made way too many big numbers today to have a chance to get Charlotte. We have a couple of weeks to get ready for our next event."
 
Senior Mac Murphy led Tech on the last day of the tournament with a five-under 67. He carded seven birdies during the round, including three straight on holes 10 through 12. He finished at par in his next five holes before ending Sunday with a birdie on 18. Sophomore Hunter Battles closed the round with back-to-back birdies on holes 17 and 18 to finish the day at par.
 
"I played poorly on the first day and had a few wayward shots, but got it back together today and yesterday," M. Murphy said. "As a team, we showed some great things. We learned from Baton Rouge and came out here and threw up some good numbers. We are definitely trending in the right direction and look forward to the Hootie at Bulls Bay Intercollegiate."
 
The Murphy brothers led Louisiana Tech individually at the Linger Longer Invitational after tying for 11th as M. Murphy finished with a -2 (76-71-67=214) and senior Sam Murphy a -2 (75-66-73=214). Sophomore Lake Juban tied for 32nd with a +4 (74-71-75=220) and Battles tied for 47th with a +7 (73-78-72=223). Junior James Swash had a -1 (68-75=143) through the first two rounds of the tournament, but withdrew from Sunday's round.
 
Charlotte won the tournament with a -25 (285-277-277=839). Georgia Tech -14 (283-284-283=850), Virginia -9 (291-287-277=855), Louisiana Tech -4 (290-283-287=860) and Florida Gulf Coast +3 (287-294-286=867) rounded out the top five team finishes at the Linger Longer Invitational.
 
LA Tech will next compete at the Hootie at Bulls Bay Intercollegiate in Awendaw, S.C., from March 28-30.
 
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