University of Missouri
Auburn Tiger Invitational presented by Jason Duffner
@MizzouMensGolf Set for Auburn Tiger Invitational
2/23/2019 2:46:00 PM | Men's Golf
The Tigers compete in Opelika, Ala, from Feb. 24-26
OPELIKA, Ala. – Mizzou Men's Golf begins its second event of the spring as head coach Mark Leroux's squad competes in the Tiger Invitational Presented by Jason Dufner this weekend. The Tigers look to build off a solid outing at the Suntrust Gator Invitational last weekend, in which Mizzou finished sixth of 15.
This weekend's tournament will be played at the Grand National on the Lake Course (par 72, 7,289 yards) in Opelika, Ala., from Feb. 24-26.
The Black & Gold will be facing another three days of strong competition including two top-10 teams, No. 10 Auburn and No. 6 SMU. The No. 58 Mizzou Tigers will also face other Top-100 programs, including Arkansas State, Kennesaw State, and UNCW.
In the top spot of the Tigers' lineup this week is senior Matt Echelmeier (Columbia, Mo.), who is coming off an impressive performance at the Suntrust Gator Invitational adding another top-10 finish to his career. It marked Echelmeier's sixth career top-10 finish heading into the Auburn Tiger Invitational. The senior is seeking to secure back-to-back top-10 finishes for the first time in his career. This will be Echelmeier's third year playing in Tiger Invitational. Last year he finished the tournament tied for 23rd with a final round 3-under par 69.
In the second spot of the competitive lineup is sophomore Jamie Stewart (Renfrewshire, Scotland), who picked up his eighth consecutive Top-20 regular season tournament finish last weekend. The sophomore is currently ranked ninth in SEC scoring average with a 70.56 and first in the SEC for total birdies made this season. So far, Stewart has fired 12 rounds under par and is looking to carry that momentum into his first Auburn Tiger Invitational.
Junior Rory Franssen (Iverness, Scotland) holds down the third spot in the Tigers' lineup. This will be Franssen's third time competing in the event, in which he has fired five out of six rounds under-par and a top-15 finish. After a slow start last weekend, the junior completed the Gator Invite with a bounce-back final round of one-under par.
The fourth slot in the lineup features senior Luigi Botta (Cueno, Italy), who will be competing in his third Auburn Tiger Invitational. Botta holds two of his career bests at this event, including his low 54-hole tournament total (216) and low 18-hole score (66). Last year, he finished tied for 19th after his firing his career low six-under par 66.
Making his return to the lineup is junior Ricky Sanders (The Hague, Netherlands). Before the break, Sanders finished his first fall season as a Tiger with his lowest 54-hole tournament total (210) and lowest 18-hole total (67) at the Warrior Princeville Makai Invitational. The junior also added his third top-20 finish to his career and is in the hunt for another strong finish in his first Auburn Tiger Invitational.
Freshman Tommy Boone (Plano, Texas), who will be competing in his third event as a Tiger, will play as an unattached individual for Leroux in Opelika.
Live results throughout the Tiger Invitational Presented will be available on GolfStat.com.
