RUSTON, La. – Louisiana Tech senior Sam Murphy was one of just 84 amateur golfers invited to play in the Jones Cup this past weekend at Ocean Forest Golf Club in at Sea Island, Georgia.

Murphy shot even par 72s on the first two rounds on Friday and Saturday before strong winds and cold temperatures resulted in elevated scores across the entire field on Sunday.

"The experience was awesome," said Murphy. "It was an unbelievable place at Ocean Forest and really probably the hardest conditions I've played in. I learned a lot about the mental toughness this week with the wind and the rain. So ready to get this spring season started off on Laredo."
 
Sunday saw winds blow 20 to 30 miles per hour with gusts in the 40s with temperatures in the high 30s. Only half of the field of 84 broke 80 during Sunday's final round.
 
Murphy's three-round total of 227 tied for 31^st overall out of the 84 competitors.

"It was great he got to play in one of the best Amateur fields in the country," said Tech head coach Matt Terry. "He played well all week and beat more than 40 players ranked ahead of him in the world amateur golf rankings WAGR.  He will be able to use this as we prepare to open up our season in a week."
 
Murphy will lead the Bulldogs into the Border Olympics hosted by the University of Houston Feb. 14 and 15 in Laredo, Texas.