University of Missouri
Auburn Tiger Invitational
No. 21 @MizzouMensGolf Places Sixth at Auburn Tiger Invitational
3/6/2018 7:34:00 PM | Men's Golf
Tigers turn focus toward GCU Invitational in Phoenix (March 16-17)
OPELIKA, Ala. - No. 21 Mizzou Men's Golf finished in sixth-place at the Auburn Tiger Invitational (Sunday March 4 - Tuesday March 6). Host Auburn showed familiarity with the course, winning the event by 25 strokes and fellow SEC member Mississippi State narrowly edged the Tigers by just four strokes.
Mizzou was led by senior Luigi Botta (Cueno, Italy), who delivered an exceptional performance despite not playing competitively for Mizzou since he was a freshman. Botta's 54-hole round 216, which was good enough for a share of 19th-place, was the best tournament score of his career, while his Round Two 66 was the best single-round score of his career. The Italy native has paced the Tigers only one other time in his four-year career, and that came at the Loyola Club Invite during the 2014-15 season.
Junior Matt Echelmeier (Columbia, Mo.) joined Botta in the Top-25 in Opelika, Alabama, finishing just one stroke behind him to tie for 23rd. Echelmeier saved his best for last, firing a 69 in his final round to help the Tigers fend off Charlotte, who finished five strokes behind them. Echelmeier has been heating up, firing all three of his latest events under 220.
In the third slot for the Black & Gold was sophomore Rory Franssen (Inverness, Scotland), who rebounded at the Tiger Invitational after missing the Gator Invitational. Franssen finished at 218, which was tied for 27th-place overall. The sophomore started and finished the event strong, shooting 70s in both the first round and the final round, but a season-high second round 78 kept his score higher than anticipated.
Senior Hayden Buckley (Belden, Miss.) proved he was mortal at the Tiger Invitational, shooting a season-high 222 to take a share of 48th-place. Buckley found solace in his second round on the Grand National's Lake Course, recording a 68.
Finishing in the last competitive slot for Mizzou was senior Trevor Ullestad (Jewell, Iowa), who shot a 228 to capture a share of 70th place. Freshman Jack Parker (Columbia, Mo.), who traveled with the team, but played as an unattached individual, recorded a 238.
Mizzou continues its spring season at the Grand Canyon University Invitational in Phoenix, Arizona, from March 16-17. Mizzou fans are reminded that their Black & Gold golfers will be at home at The Club at Old Hawthorne in Columbia, Missouri, hosting the Tiger Invitational from April 9-10.
For all the latest on Mizzou Men's Golf, stay tuned to MUTigers.com or follow the program on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook (@MizzouMensGolf).
