STATESBORO, Ga. — The LSU men’s golf team finished the first day of the Schenkel/E-Z-Go Invitational at Forest Heights Country Club in 13th place after posting a 26-over par 602 on Saturday.
“We didn’t hold our rounds together and we had some big holes,” said LSU head coach Greg Jones. “It’s a little disappointing coming out of the break. What’s tough for us here is the slope and speed of the greens. The speed probably got to us a little bit.”
The Tigers were led by sophomore Chris Wells, who sits in a tie for 23rd place with a 4-over 148. Freshman Beck Troutman is currently in a tie for 26th after two rounds with a 5-over 149 and recorded the team’s lowest round of the day with an even-par 72 in the first round.
Jones said he is impressed with Troutman’s ability to compete with the many elite players and teams participating in the tournament despite his youth.
“It’s a great experience for him and it gives him confidence in his own ability to be able to compete at this level,” Jones said. “He’s becoming more comfortable. He still seems to be a little afraid to make a mistake, but when he comes out of that he will explode. He’s got all the tools and all of the talent to be a great player.”
Senior Heath West finished the day in a tie for 46th with an 8-over 152, while both senior Jeff Riemann and sophomore Garrett Runion sit in a tie for 64th with a 12-over 156.
The 54-hole tournament will conclude Sunday and live scoring will be provided by Golfstat.com.
SCHENKEL/E-Z-GO INVITATIONAL — FIRST ROUND
TEAM SCORES (Par 576)
1. Tennessee 290-288 — 578 +2; 2. Auburn 291-288 — 579 +3; t3. South Carolina 293-289 — 582 +6; t3. Duke 293-289 — 582 +6; 5. Minnesota 302-283 — 585 +9; 6. Georgia Southern 288-298 — 586 +10; 7. Augusta State 299-294 — 593 +17; t8. Florida 296-298 — 594 +18; t8. Georgia 304-290 — 594 +18; 10. North Carolina 299-296 — 595 +19; t11. USC 300-299 — 599 +23; t11. Clemson 298-301 — 599 +23; 13. LSU 304-298 — 602 +26; 14. N.C. State 307-303 — 610 +34; 15. Ohio State 311-301 — 612 +36
TOP FIVE INDIVIDUALS (Par 144)
1. Bronson LaCassie, Minnesota, 72-68 — 140 -4; t2. Alex Hamilton, South Carolina, 74-68 — 142 -2; t2. Jon David Kennedy, Georgia Southern, 69-73 — 142 -2; t2. Patton Kizzire, Auburn, 72-70 — 142 -2; t2. Ross McGowan, Tennessee, 73-69 — 142 -2
LSU SCORES
t23. Chris Wells 76-72 — 148 +4
t27. Beck Troutman 72-77 — 149 +5
t46. Heath West 79-73 — 152 +8
t64. Jeff Riemann 77-79 — 156 +12
t64. Garrett Runion 80-76 — 156 +12