Bulldogs In Contention After Second Round of Argent Financial Classic

Monday, September 11

Choudrant, LA

18 Holes

Louisiana Tech University

Argent Financial Classic

Photo by: pictures@fullframeaction.com

Bulldogs In Contention After Second Round of Argent Financial Classic

9/11/2023 7:04:00 PM | Men's Golf

Team Leaderboard Player Leaderboard Photo Gallery

By: Kane McGuire

CHOUDRANT, La. – The Louisiana Tech Golf team closed the gap on the leader Monday, shooting 281 (-7) in round two of the Argent Financial Classic at Squire Creek Country Club.

The Bulldogs were seven shots better than they were Sunday, tying for the second lowest score of the day and getting three strokes closer of Central Arkansas (-13). LA Tech (-7) will be paired with the Bears and Southern Miss (-8) on the third and final day.

Four Bulldogs finished in the red with Will Patrick being the lead 'Dog in the second round, bouncing back from a 79 in round two to shoot 69 (-3). After shooting 36 on the back nine, the senior birdied No. 1, No. 2, and No. 5 to shoot a 33 on the front.

Lake Juban had the second lowest score, shooting 70 (-2) with two birdies and a bogey on the front and back nine, respectively. Hunter Battles capped off his second round with a birdie on the par five No. 9 to finish with a 71 (-1) and Niilo Maki-Petaja shot under par for a second straight day with a 71 (-1) and is tied for 10th as an individual.

Jake Plumb shot a 75 (+3) for LA Tech and is now Even par for the tournament. He is the second highest Bulldog on the player leaderboard, tied for 22nd.

Grant Smith had the low round of the four individuals participating, shooting 72 (E) including a stretch at the turn that included three straight birdies followed by an eagle on the par five No. 2.

QUOTABLES
Head coach Matt Terry

On the round…
"I was really pleased with our first under par round of the season. I know the guys felt like they had more in them today. It was nice to see us get going after a slow start. We had a really good middle, which was more indicative of how we can play."

On the seniors…
"I said it yesterday, our seniors have to play better and they did that today. They are experienced enough and mature enough to do what they have to do and it is on them to do it."

On having a chance to win tomorrow…
"We have to get off to a good start and play the five pars better. We are doing our job on the par threes. We can only control us, play the golf course, and when we have our opportunities we have to capitalize. We need all five guys to help make up six shots.

NOTABLES

LA Tech's 281 is tied for the third best round of the tournament through two rounds.
The 281 is tied for the fifth lowest round for the Bulldogs at their home event.
Will Patrick tied his career-low round with a 69 (shot 69 twice last season at the Jim Rivers Intercollegiate and once as a freshman at the LaTour Intercollegiate).
Niilo Maki-Petaja is one of 13 players in the 93-person field to shoot under par in each of the first two rounds.

UP NEXT
LA Tech and the other 15 participating teams will play the third and final round of the Argent Financial Classic on Tuesday at Squire Creek Country Club. The individual Bulldogs will tee off on No. 18 from 8:10 – 8:40 a.m. while the five-person team will tee off on No. 1 from 9:50 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

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