The LSU men’s golf team didn’t get off to a great start defending its title at the John Hayt Invitational on Sunday.
Defending champion John Peterson struggled for much of the opening round. Peterson carded three bogeys and three double bogeys in the opening round, all but eliminating himself from competition for the individual title. Fellow junior Andrew Loupe, who finished second in the John Hayt Invitational last season, had seven bogeys marring his scorecard. Loupe shot a 5-over par 77 and finished the first round in a tie for 39th place.
But the opening round wasn’t a total wash for LSU. Sophomores Austin Gutsgell and Sang Yi played what may be their best golf of the season. Gutsgell is three shots behind the tournament leader after he fired an even par 72 on the strength of four birdies. Yi is in a tie for 18th place after his opening round 75.
The Tigers are 16 strokes behind tournament leader North Florida, and will resume play tomorrow at 7:30 a.m.
—-Contact Luke Johnson at [email protected].