Louisiana Classic: Third-Ranked Texas A&M wins Again
No. 3 Texas A&M has now won five-times this year
(Texas A&M Athletics Photo)
LAFAYETTE, LA (February 27, 2018) - Leading by seven after the 36-hole first day No. 3 Texas A&M put together an 8-under final day to finish 29-under and as the eight-stroke victors at the Louisiana Classic. The win was the fifth of the season in seven team events and second straight to begin the spring for Texas A&M.
No. 18 Illinois (-21) finished second, Kent State (-13) was third, in fourth it was McNeese State (-11) while in fifth it was Louisville (-5).
Leading the charge for the Aggies was Dan Erickson, who despite playing just six rounds all year prior to the start of play on Monday won medalist honors. Playing out of the fourth spot in the lineup Erickson combined rounds of 69-69-68 at Oakbourne Country Club to post 10-under and win by a single stroke.
Erickson was able to build enough of a cushion early before holding on late for his first collegiate win. Beginning on No. 1 Erickson birdied his first two holes before adding two more birdies on the 4th and 5th holes for a 4-under in five hole start that moved the native of Whittier, CA to 10-under overall. Erickson would get as low as 12-under with birdies on No. 10 and 11 but that is where the birdies ended and from then on it was all about holding on.
Dropped shots followed on the 12th and 15th holes but Erickson had done just enough early in the round to hold on.
The remainder of the Texas A&M lineup finished inside the top-12 with all additional players contributing at least one round to the team score; Chandler Phillips (5th; -5), Walker Lee (T6; -4), Andrew Paysse (T12; -3) and Josh Gliege (T12; -3).
McNeese State's Blake Elliott finished second in the individual standings at 9-under. Elliot had nearly the opposite round of Erickson. Also starting on No. 1 Elliot bogeyed the first two holes before turning his day around with six birdies in the next 10 holes, including three in a row from Nos. 10-12. Elliot however ran out of steam parring to the house following his 12th hole birdie.
Ian Holt (Kent State) and Bryan Baumgarten (Illinois) shared third at 6-under while Phillips was in fifth.
ABOUT THE Louisiana Classics
54-hole men's college tournament hosted by the
University
of Louisiana at Lafayette. Team (best four scores of
five
players each day) and individual competitions.
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