TEXARKANA – Louisiana Tech shot a team total of four-over-par 292 Wednesday as the Bulldogs finished in a tie for fifth place in the stroke play portion of the 2022 Conference USA Men's Golf Championships at Texarkana Country Club.
The Bulldogs barely missed out on advancing to the match play portion of the tournament with only the top four teams qualifying to move on to Thursday's action.
"I am really proud of the effort the guys put in after a bad start on Monday," said Tech coach
Matt Terry. "I'm also disappointed that they don't have a shot in matchplay. They put in a lot of work all year to get to that point and to come that close will stay with them for a while. Hopefully the guys that will be coming back can learn from this week and make it happen next spring. September will be here before we know it and we will be back at it."
Mac Murphy led Tech on Wednesday, shooting a two-under-par 70 while
Lake Juban fired an even par 72 for the Bulldogs.
James Swash was Tech's top finisher, tying for seventh place with a 54-hole total of one-under-par 215 (70-66-79). Swash entered the final round as the individual leader after Tuesday's impressive round of 66, but fell after a challenging third round.
Middle Tennessee's Michael Barnard won the individual title with a three-round total of six-under-par 210.
Juban completed his impressive tournament, tying for 22
nd place with a total of three-over-par 219 (74-73-72).
Mac Murphy (79-73-70=222) and
Sam Murphy (74-73-75=222) both tied for 33
rd overall while
Hunter Battles tied for 53
rd with a total of 228 (80-73-75).
Florida Atlantic (859), Southern Miss (860), UTSA (868) and Charlotte (870) all advance to Thursday's Match Play with the winner earning the automatic bid to the NCAA Championships.
The Bulldogs (874) tied with Middle Tennessee and UAB for fifth place.
