Monday, January 29
Ponte Vedra, FL
36 Holes
Louisiana Tech University
at
Sea Best Invitational
Photo by: Tom Morris
Maki-Petaja Tied for Second after 36 Holes at Sea Best Invitational
1/29/2024 7:29:00 PM | Men's Golf
LA Tech is tied for 8th after two rounds at TPC Sawgrass
PONTE VEDRA, Fla. – Louisiana Tech's Niilo Maki-Petaja started the spring slate off with a bang, shooting 139 (70-69) to put himself in a tie for second on the player leaderboard as the Bulldogs concluded 36 holes on Monday at the challenging TPC Sawgrass.
The freshman did not end the fall portion of the season the way he would have liked, tying for 54th at the Steelwood Collegiate Invitational. He came out firing three months later at the Sea Best Invitational, shooting Even (70) in round one followed by -1 (69) in round two.
In doing so, Maki-Petaja led LA Tech to a tie for eighth with host Jacksonville among the 15-team field, ending the long day at +25 (297-288=585). After being tied for 10th after 18 holes, the Bulldogs climbed two spots on the leaderboard after tying for the seventh best round in their second 18 holes played.
Hunter Battles played a hand in helping LA Tech make that move, bouncing back from a round one 75 (+5) to shoot Even (70) in round two. The senior is tied for 22nd as an individual going into round three.
Will Patrick and Lake Juban both had their scores counted for the Bulldogs in each round. Patrick shot a pair of 75s (+5) while Juban shot 77 (+7) in round one but was three strokes better in round two with a 74 (+4).
Florida, ranked No. 26 in the nation, leads the event at +2 followed by North Florida at +9. LA Tech is in a crowded leaderboard as seven teams are within eight strokes of one another.
NOTABLES
LA Tech will be back in action in the morning to play the final 18 holes of the Sea Best Invitational. Tee time is set for 7 a.m. CT.
SOCIAL MEDIA
For all the latest in Bulldog Golf, follow us on Twitter (@LATechGolf), Instagram (@LATech_Golf), and Facebook (LATechGolf).
The freshman did not end the fall portion of the season the way he would have liked, tying for 54th at the Steelwood Collegiate Invitational. He came out firing three months later at the Sea Best Invitational, shooting Even (70) in round one followed by -1 (69) in round two.
In doing so, Maki-Petaja led LA Tech to a tie for eighth with host Jacksonville among the 15-team field, ending the long day at +25 (297-288=585). After being tied for 10th after 18 holes, the Bulldogs climbed two spots on the leaderboard after tying for the seventh best round in their second 18 holes played.
Hunter Battles played a hand in helping LA Tech make that move, bouncing back from a round one 75 (+5) to shoot Even (70) in round two. The senior is tied for 22nd as an individual going into round three.
Will Patrick and Lake Juban both had their scores counted for the Bulldogs in each round. Patrick shot a pair of 75s (+5) while Juban shot 77 (+7) in round one but was three strokes better in round two with a 74 (+4).
Florida, ranked No. 26 in the nation, leads the event at +2 followed by North Florida at +9. LA Tech is in a crowded leaderboard as seven teams are within eight strokes of one another.
NOTABLES
- LA Tech shot +7 (3.18 average) on the Par 3s, tied for the second best in the tournament.
- The Bulldogs made 117 pars, tied for the third most in the field.
- Niilo Maki-Petaja has a team-leading five rounds at or under par this season for the Bulldogs. He shot -3 (3.88 average) on the Par 4s, tied for the best score among the 84 players.
- Hunter Battles registered his fourth round at or under par this season.
LA Tech will be back in action in the morning to play the final 18 holes of the Sea Best Invitational. Tee time is set for 7 a.m. CT.
SOCIAL MEDIA
For all the latest in Bulldog Golf, follow us on Twitter (@LATechGolf), Instagram (@LATech_Golf), and Facebook (LATechGolf).
Players Mentioned
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