Wednesday, May 15
Baton Rouge, LA
18 Holes
Louisiana Tech University
vs
NCAA Regionals
Photo by: Kane McGuire
Photo by: Kane McGuire
Photo by: Kane McGuire
Photo by: Kane McGuire
Photo by: Kane McGuire
Photo by: Kane McGuire
Photo by: Kane McGuire
Photo by: Kane McGuire
Photo by: Kane McGuire
Photo by: Kane McGuire
Photo by: Kane McGuire
Photo by: Kane McGuire
Photo by: Kane McGuire
Photo by: Kane McGuire
Maki-Petaja Ties for 27th at NCAA Regional
5/15/2024 5:09:00 PM | Men's Golf
The Bulldog shot 76 (+4) in the third and final round at University Club
BATON ROUGE – Louisiana Tech's Niilo Maki-Petaja capped off his freshman campaign by tying for 27th at the NCAA Baton Rouge Regional, hosted by LSU at the University Club.
On a hot Wednesday afternoon, Maki-Petaja shot 76 (+4) in his third and final round, finishing with a scorecard of 71-73-76=220 (+4). It was a day that had just two birdies to go along with four bogeys.
The Bulldog was able to scramble early to card four straight pars to start his round. The first blemish on the scorecard came on the Par 5 No. 5 when he three-putted for bogey.
However, Maki-Petaja got that stroke back on the Par 6 No. 6, a hole that he had made eagle and birdie the previous two rounds. He hit his wedge shot to 10 feet and made birdie.
After two more pars, a missed fairway and a missed green resulted in a bogey on the Par 4 No. 9, giving Maki-Petaja a 37 on the front.
He started off the back with a par and then got his redemption on the Par 5 No. 11, a hole where he made double bogey the previous day. Despite missing the fairway left, he was able to get the ball on the green in three shots and then sink the birdie putt from about six feet.
It was a tough home stretch though for the Bulldog with some bad luck, ending his round by making bogey on four of the last five holes.
QUOTABLES
Head coach Matt Terry
"I am proud of Niilo's effort that he gave us this week and all year. It was hard watching him finish the way he did today because I know how bad he wanted to do well. He will learn a lot from this week and the whole year. It will be exciting to see his progression over these next few months leading into next fall."
Niilo Maki-Petaja
"I stuck to my targets today. Did not my best, but it was not meant to be coming down the stretch. It was a tough finish. There were still a lot of positives today and this whole week. I'm already looking forward to getting better for next season."
SOCIAL MEDIA
For all the latest in Bulldog Golf, follow us on Twitter (@LATechGolf), Instagram (@LATech_Golf), and Facebook (LATechGolf).
On a hot Wednesday afternoon, Maki-Petaja shot 76 (+4) in his third and final round, finishing with a scorecard of 71-73-76=220 (+4). It was a day that had just two birdies to go along with four bogeys.
The Bulldog was able to scramble early to card four straight pars to start his round. The first blemish on the scorecard came on the Par 5 No. 5 when he three-putted for bogey.
However, Maki-Petaja got that stroke back on the Par 6 No. 6, a hole that he had made eagle and birdie the previous two rounds. He hit his wedge shot to 10 feet and made birdie.
After two more pars, a missed fairway and a missed green resulted in a bogey on the Par 4 No. 9, giving Maki-Petaja a 37 on the front.
He started off the back with a par and then got his redemption on the Par 5 No. 11, a hole where he made double bogey the previous day. Despite missing the fairway left, he was able to get the ball on the green in three shots and then sink the birdie putt from about six feet.
It was a tough home stretch though for the Bulldog with some bad luck, ending his round by making bogey on four of the last five holes.
QUOTABLES
Head coach Matt Terry
"I am proud of Niilo's effort that he gave us this week and all year. It was hard watching him finish the way he did today because I know how bad he wanted to do well. He will learn a lot from this week and the whole year. It will be exciting to see his progression over these next few months leading into next fall."
Niilo Maki-Petaja
"I stuck to my targets today. Did not my best, but it was not meant to be coming down the stretch. It was a tough finish. There were still a lot of positives today and this whole week. I'm already looking forward to getting better for next season."
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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