OPELIKA, ALA.– The LSU men’s golf team rebounded from Saturday’s wind troubled round of 305 to shoot a final round of 298, but still finished in seventh place overall here at the Billy Hitchcock Invitational in Opelika, Ala.
Host Auburn took the team tournament title after posting a five-under par 859 (281-297-281–859) for the weekend. It’s nearest competitor was Mississippi State, shooting a nine-over par 873 (282-299-292–873) in finishing 14 strokes back in second. LSU shot a tournament total of 894 (291-305-298–894) at 30 over-par.
Mississippi State’s Alex Rocha took home individual medalist honors thanks to a new tournament record of 14 under-par 202 (62-71-69–202), breaking previous record holder Jim Curran of Auburn’s total of 13 under-par. Finishing a distant second were Roland Hatcher (69-75-68–212) and Jason Dufner (69-74-69–212) of Auburn at four under-par, 10 strokes off the pace.
The top LSU finisher this weekend was Alan Morgan, who ended the tournament in fifth place overall with an even par (71-71-74–216) total. Also competing for the Tigers was Jeremy Wilkinson, who came in tied for 29th position overall after a 10 over-par 226 weekend. John Humphries finished tied for 36 place with a 12 over-par 228 weekend total. Mike Vallillo completed play on Sunday in a tie for 38th, shooting 13 over par 229 for the tournament. Billy Dressler also competed for the Tigers, firing a 231 stroke total at 15 over par for 54 holes this weekend.
LSU next sees action when they take part in the SEC championships next weekend, April 14-16. The event will be held at the Turtle Point Yacht and Country Club in Killen, Ala.