University of Missouri
SunTrust Gator Invitational
@MizzouMensGolf Gets Spring Started in Gainesville on Saturday and Sunday
2/17/2017 10:25:00 AM | Men's Golf
Tigers teeing it up at the Suntrust Gator Invitational on Saturday morning
GAINESVILLE, Fla. - Following a successful fall campaign and a lengthy layover, Mizzou Men's Golf head coach Mark Leroux's Tigers are headed to the Sunshine State to build on the momentum they established before the half-season break. Mizzou will aim to come out with focus and determination, as the Suntrust Gator Invitational, played on the University of Florida's Mark Bostick Golf Course, will feature some of the nation's best squads. That competition includes host Florida, a team ranked third in the nation, according to Golfweek.
Mizzou and the Gators are not the only threats to win the championship, though, as the field includes Wake Forest (11), Arkansas (31), North Florida, Georgia Southern, Troy, Jacksonville, North Texas, Liberty and UCF. For the Tigers to be competitive in the event, Leroux's mix of veterans and newcomers must play strong, consistent golf.
Leading the Tigers into the Gator Invitational is senior Euan Walker (Troon Scotland), who played a stellar fall season. His 70.2 stroke average was a team low, as well as being the lowest mark of his career by more than two strokes. Walker was also the only Tiger to shoot every event under-par, and his nine rounds under-par this season are a team high. Walker is currently ranked 98th, according to Golfweek's individual rankings.
Senior Linus Lilliedahl (Sandviken, Sweden), the second piece of Leroux's dynamic senior duo, holds the second spot on the roster that is traveling to Gainesville. Walker did have the better fall campaign of the two senior leaders, but that is more of an indication of how great Walker was, as Lilliedahl played sound golf throughout fall. He shot three of his four events under-par, had a career low 70.8 stroke average, while also playing eight rounds under-par, which were the second most on the team.
Holding down the third spot in the Tigers' lineup is junior Hayden Buckley (Belden, Miss.), who will play a pivotal role for the Tigers in the spring. Hampered by injuries early in the fall, Buckley finished the first half of the season with a strong return to form, shooting a team-best 209 at the Warrior Invitational (Oct. 30-Nov. 1), which was good enough to earn him a tie for sixth-place, overall. A top finisher for the Black & Gold during the 2015-16 season, Buckley is a weapon available again to Leroux's arsenal.
Junior Trevor Ullestad (Jewell, Iowa) and freshman Rory Franssen (Inverness, Scotland) hold down the fourth and fifth spots for the Tigers' lineup in Gainesville, and the newcomers had very successful first semesters with Mizzou Men's Golf. Ullestad started off hot, finishing his first two events in the top-10 with back-to-back 3-under-par scores. Franssen played well all fall, finishing all of the events he played in the top-30 overall, individually.
Follow the Tigers throughout the event on Twitter (@MizzouMensGolf) and at GolfStat.com.
