NORMAN, Okla. – Louisiana Tech's James Swash saved his best round for last at the 2023 NCAA Norman Regional, shooting 69 (-3) on a sunny Wednesday at the Jimmie Austin OU Golf Club.
 
The fifth-year senior closed out his Bulldog career finishing tied for 21st (72-71-69=212) after shooting -4 for the tournament.  He tallied seven pars, seven birdies, and four bogeys in route to a 34 on the front and a 35 on the back.
 
Swash got off to a tough start to his third and final round, getting bad lies after missing the green on holes one and two that resulted in a bogey-bogey start. 
 
He bounced back in a big way in the front nine, sinking birdies on four of the next seven holes.  The last one coming on the par four No. 9 when he dropped in about a 30-footer before making the turn.
 
Another bogey crept up on the par three No. 12, not being able to get up-and-down for par after going right of the green.  He bounced back again though, securing his second birdie on a par five, this one coming on No. 13. 
 
After his fourth bogey that came on the par three No. 15, he proceeded to birdie No. 16 for a second straight day.  Arguably his best shot of the round came out of the right rough on No. 17, the hardest hole on the golf course this week.  He hit 8-iron from about 185 yards out and knocked it to within five feet, making his seventh birdie (made five total through the first two rounds combined).
 
QUOTABLES
Head coach Matt Sherry
"It was a good day today.  I am proud for James and the way he was able to end his career with a sub-70 round.  It was a tough start with a couple of bad lies around the first two holes.  He kept himself in it though.  He was a pro today.  Now he gets to become a pro.  It was a great ending to a good chapter in his life."
 
James Swash
"The first two holes were against me with the two lies I pulled around the greens.  I tried to play my game.  A year or so ago, that round would have been a 79 or 80.  I trusted the work I have been putting in.  I knew from the first two days I was going to start making some birdies.  I was due to make some putts and they finally fell.  It is a nice way to end my college career.  It was a good learning step for professional golf after this.  I am excited to take that next step."
 
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