KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Led by junior Chris Wells’ even-par 142, the LSU men’s golf team shot an 8-over par 576 on Monday to stand in 10th place after the first day of the Coca-Cola Tournament of Champions at Holston Hills Country Club.
The Tigers posted an 8-over 292 in the afternoon round after finishing the first round in fifth place with an even-par 284. LSU head coach Chuck Winstead said that the course is set up for his players to make a lot of birdies if they are able to take advantage of their opportunities.
“This is a Donald Ross style golf course that is one of the best of his designs,” Winstead said. “It’s a second shot golf course. If you place your second shot in the right part of the green, you can be aggressive and make a lot of birdies.
“If you don’t place your second shot in the right part of the green, you will play defensive. None of our guys have played this course before and they probably played a little defensive, especially in the second round. Now that they’ve seen it, maybe they can turn it around tomorrow.”
Wells is currently in a tie for 18th, while sophomore Beck Troutman and freshman Jarrod Barsamian each sit in a tie for 33rd after carding a 3-over 145. Sophomores Brent Struthers and Brian Noonan are one stroke back in a tie for 41st with a 4-over 146.
Tournament host Tennessee leads by 18 strokes over Alabama heading into Tuesday’s final round after firing a 22-under 546 on Monday. Tennessee’s Lloyd Campbell is the low individual with a 9-under 133, while fellow Volunteers Jonathan Mount and Phillip Pettitt are two shots back in a tie for second.
Winstead said that if his team plays with more focus, it is capable of firing a low score in the final round and return to Baton Rouge with a solid finish.
“My goal is for our guys to go out tomorrow and play the best they can individually. If they play the course one shot at a time and stay in the present by focusing on what they are trying to do, we can be in a position to have a solid finish.”
The Tigers are paired with the College of Charleston and Mississippi State in the final round and will tee off from the 10th tee beginning at 7:57 a.m. CDT.
COCA-COLA TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS — SECOND ROUND RESULTS
TEAM RESULTS (Par 568)
1. Tennessee 268-278 — 546 -22; 2. Alabama 279-285 — 564 -4; 3. Georgia Southern 281-285 — 566 -2; t4. Missouri 292-277 — 569 +1; t4. Virginia 289-280 — 569 +1; t6. Florida State 286-285 — 571 +3; t6. Virginia Tech 283-288 — 571 +3; t6. Arkansas 287-284 — 571 +3; 9. North Florida 293-281 — 574 +6; 10. LSU 284-292 — 576 +8; 11. College of Charleston 294-283 — 577 +9; 12. Mississippi State 291-290 — 581 +13; 13. Ole Miss 293-290 — 583 +15; 14. Finland 298-296 — 594 +26
TOP FIVE INDIVIDUALS (Par 142)
1. Lloyd Campbell, Tennessee, 66-67 — 133 -9; t2. Jonathan Mount, Tennessee, 66-69 — 135 -7; t2. Phillip Pettitt, Tennessee, 66-69 — 135 -7; t4. Mark Harrell, Alabama, 67-69 — 136 -6; t4. Matthew Swan, Alabama, 65-71 — 136 -6
LSU SCORES
t18. Chris Wells 68-74 — 142 E
t33. Beck Troutman 73-72 — 145 +3
t33. Jarrod Barsamian 72-73 — 145 +3
t41. Brent Struthers 71-75 — 146 +4
t41. Brian Noonan 73-73 — 146 +4