TEXARKANA, Arkansas – James Swash collected some hardware at the end of round three at the 2023 Conference USA Men's Golf Championship as the fifth-year senior claimed the individual title while also leading the Bulldogs into match play at the Texarkana Country Club.
 
A year ago, Swash had a two-shot lead going into the final round of the league championship, but he ended up finishing in a tie for seventh. 
 
Fast forward to Wednesday and Swash was three shots back of first going into the last 18 holes.  This time it was the Bulldog making the charge from behind, shooting a championship-best 68 (-4) to win by two strokes. 
 
As the individual champion, Swash earns an automatic bid to the NCAA Regionals.  However, he is hoping to be joined by his fellow Bulldogs as the team finished the 54 holes in third to advance to match play on Thursday.  As the No. 3 seed, LA Tech will take on No. 2 Middle Tennessee in the semifinals starting at 8 a.m. CT.
 
The 'Dogs ended up shooting 296-287-293=876 (+12) for the three-day stroke play.  Another key Bulldog to help the team shoot +5 for the day was Hunter Battles who also saved his best for last, shooting a 70 (-2) for his best round of the event and finish in a tie for 16th individually.
 
Will Patrick had the third best round for LA Tech, shooting 75 (+3) to finish in a tie for 18th individually.  The fourth score used came from Thomas Henson who shot 80 (+8).
 
Swash became the first conference individual in program history since 1980 while his 68 tied for the second lowest round of any Bulldog at the C-USA Championship.  LA Tech will make its second ever appearance in the Match Play of the C-USA Championship (previous time was 2016).

QUOTABLES
Individual champion James Swash

"I felt good all week with my game.  Said to my teammates I felt like I have not had my best golf yet after round two.  It was nice to see some putts drop early to start round three and from then just taking it shot by shot to give myself the best chances.  It feels great to get my first win, especially here at conference after leading last year and not being able to finish it off.  Now as a team, we have a chance to win tomorrow and that is the focus right now!  I am excited to see what we do."
 
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