University of Missouri
SunTrust Gator Invitational
@MizzouMensGolf Opens Spring with Runner-Up Finish in Gainesville
2/19/2017 6:26:00 PM | Men's Golf
Freshman Rory Franssen paces Tigers with individual runner-up effort at Gator Invitational
GAINESVILLE, Fla. - After shooting an opening round 292 and sitting in 10th place, Mizzou Men's Golf roared back to tie for second at the Suntrust Gator Invitational on the Mark Bostick Golf Course at the University of Florida. On the way to their third runner-up finish (292-279-281 -- 852) of the 2016-17 season, the Tigers toppled a Florida team ranked second in the nation, a top-15 Wake Forest squad, and a host of other talented groups that competed in Gainesville. The Black & Gold were only bested at the event by Arkansas (288-278-279 -- 845).
Freshman Rory Franssen (Inverness, Scotland) starred for head coach Mark Leroux in the Tigers' first tournament after their three-month recess, taking second place overall in a field that was stacked with individual talent. Franssen shot all of his rounds under-par and a 205 (69-68-68) for the event, which was a low for any Tiger this season in a 54-hole round, though the Gator was scored with par at 70. His second and third-round 68 scores both tied his career-low for an 18-hole round. On a team where he is the youngest and least experienced, Franssen's effort at the Gator Invitational signals his readiness to contribute at a high level.
Following Franssen was senior Linus Lilliedahl (Troon, Scotland), who recorded a 216 (76-70-70) to place tied for 22nd. After a first round 76, Lilliedahl bounced back, shooting back-to-back rounds of 70.
Senior Euan Walker (Troon, Scotland) and junior Trevor Ullestad (Jewell, Iowa) finished tied for third on the squad. Both Tigers carded rounds of 218, which was good enough to give them each a share of 33rd place, individually. Walker's consistency throughout the fall season was apparent, as his tournament in Florida (73-71-74 -- 218) is his first of his senior campaign without a round under-par.
As for Ullestad (74-70-74 -- 218), he shot rounds of 74 in both the first and third rounds, but he played a crucial role in the Tigers' second round. As a team, the Tigers shot a 279 in round two, and his second round 70 played a part in getting the Tigers up the leaderboard as a group.
Finishing in the fifth spot for Leroux's squad was junior Hayden Buckley (Belden, Miss.) who finished tied for 53rd in Gainesville (76-769 -- 221). Though he struggled through the first two round of play, Buckley found his form for the final round, providing the Black & Gold with a clutch one-under-par 69 to help hold off host Florida (289-284-280 -- 853), who finished just one stroke off the pace of Mizzou and Jacksonville (289-287-276 -- 852).
The Tigers next hit the links March 5-7 in Opelika, Alabama, where they will compete in the Auburn Tiger Invitational.
For all the latest on Mizzou Men's Golf, stay tuned to MUTigers.com or follow the program on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook (@MizzouMensGolf).
