@MizzouMensGolf Advances to Match Play of 2017 SEC Championship
4/22/2017 8:53:00 PM | Men's Golf
Leroux’s Tigers tie for seventh, secure place in the eight-team match play field
ST. SIMONS ISLAND, Ga. - After surging forward in the event's second round, No. 24 Mizzou Men's Golf held on in Round Three to fend off No. 25 Georgia for the eighth spot, which qualifies the Tigers for match play at the 2017 Southeastern Conference Men's Golf Championship. The Black & Gold (284-279-289 -- 852) tied for seventh place during tournament play, punching its ticket to match play, which is a new wrinkle for the SEC event. Match play will continue on the Sea Island Course, with the quarterfinal and semifinal rounds being played on Sunday, April 23, and will finish with the championship round on Monday, April 24.
Leading the Tigers through was freshman Rory Franssen (Inverness, Scotland), who played even-par golf to help Mizzou on its way. On a team laden with veterans, Franssen was able to buoy the squad in the event, in which he finished tournament play tied for 13th (68-71-71 -- 210). When the pressure was on, the young freshman Franssen was the best version of himself, and the Tigers needed every bit of it to advance to match play.
Following Franssen was junior Hayden Buckley (Belden, Miss.) who finished just a stroke off of Franssen's excellent pace. What has been a stellar spring for Buckley continued down in St. Simons Island, as he shot 1-over-par over the three rounds (69-70-72 -- 211) to score a share of 16th place. For the second-straight event, Buckley finished as the second Tiger golfer while registering a top-20 finish.
Senior Euan Walker (Troon, Scotland) was in the third spot for head coach Mark Leroux's squad, finishing tournament play 5-over-par and placing tied for 33rd. Walker started and finished the tournament with first and third round 74s, but played a brilliant second round 67 in between them. That 67 was the lowest round by any Tiger at the event, while also being the second-lowest single round score of Walker's career.
In the fourth slot for the Black & Gold was senior Linus Lilliedahl (Sandviken, Sweden), who followed his championship at the Tiger Invitational with a 43rd place finish (73-73-72 -- 218). Junior Trevor Ullestad (Jewell, Iowa) finished tied for 57th (78-71-74 -- 223).
For up to date match play results, visit Golfstat.com.
For all the latest on Mizzou Men's Golf, stay tuned to MUTigers.com or follow the program on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook (@MizzouMensGolf).
