By: Al Barba
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OPELIKA, Ala. – Solid performances throughout the lineup led to a season-low round as the Kennesaw State men's golf team posted the second-lowest score of the day en route to a fifth-place finish at the 16-team Tiger Invitational that concluded Tuesday at the par-72, 7,289-yard Grand National Lake Course in Opelika, Alabama.
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Leading the charge was senior
Wyatt Larkin, who carded a 3-under par 69 to finish the 54-hole event at 4-under par 212 and tie for individual medalist honors with Auburn's Brandon Mancheno. Mancheno, who is No. 45 in the latest Golfstat rankings, defeated Larkin in a one-hole playoff.
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Larkin, along with junior
Connor Coffee, who carded a 4-under par 68, helped the Owls to a season-low 7-under par 281, final total of 14-over par 878 and fifth-place finish. Kennesaw State began the day in ninth place.
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Tenth-ranked and host Auburn turned in an 8-under par 280 to conclude the tournament at 11-under par 853 and record a 10-shot victory over No. 6 SMU (863; -1).
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"I am extremely proud of the team effort and resilience the guys showed following the opening nine holes of the tournament," head coach
Bryant Odom said. "These guys overcame a rough start and found a way to end the event with one of the lowest team rounds of the day and finish in the top five.
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"This should give us some confidence heading into the rest of the spring season," Odom added.
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After an even-par opening nine 36, Larkin played the back nine at 3-under par, recording an eagle on the par-15 12th and birdie on the par-3 15th hole.
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"A huge congratulations to
Wyatt Larkin for earning co-medalist honors this week," Odom said. "Wyatt is such a diligent and focused worker day-in and day-out, and we are excited to share this memory with him. He is hungry for an outright win this spring."
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Larkin finished his round as the clubhouse leader and held a one-shot advantage until Mancheno birdied the 17th hole to force a playoff.
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Coffee, who tied for 23rd at 3-over par 219, turned in his best round of the season, shooting 4-under par on his outward nine before playing the backside at even par. The Owls' junior recorded five birdies and an eagle to close out the tournament.
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Senior
Pablo Rodriguez-Tabernero Torres shot a final-round 72 to conclude play at 5-over 221 and tie for 29th. Freshman
Grant Sutliff (228; +12) and sophomore
Brady Keran (232; +16) tied for 55th and placed 71st, respectively.
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Freshman
Ryan Hines, who was playing as an individual, placed 84th.
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Kennesaw State is next in action March 15 when it co-hosts with Mercer University the Linger Longer Invitational at The Landing Course at Reynolds Lake Oconee in Greensboro, Ga.
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Keep up with Owls men's golf by following KSU on Twitter @KSUOwlNationÂ
and @KSUOwlsMGolfÂ
or by liking Kennesaw State Owls onÂ
Facebook.
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To learn more about The Owls Fund visit www.ksuowls.com/theowlsfund.Â
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#GoKSUOwls
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