If history is any indication, the LSU men’s golf team could add its third straight top-10 finish to its fall record, as it hosts the two-day David Toms Intercollegiate in Shreveport beginning today at Southern Trace Country Club.
The Tigers, in their third year at the tournament, will attempt to win their third straight David Toms Intercollegiate title.
Last year’s tournament ended with a two-stroke victory, as the Tigers finished with a combined three round 16-under-par 848.
Senior Austin Gutgsell captured first place on the individual board last year with a 10-under-par 206 tournament total.
Gutgsell said the change in course venue from last year’s tournament at the Country Club of Louisiana shouldn’t have a negative effect on his performance.
“It’s a different course than last year, but it has some similarities,” Gutgsell said. “If I focus and keep a level head, I should play well and help the team get the winning.”
The 2010 tournament also resulted in three other top 10 finishes by LSU. Former Tigers Ken Looper and John Peterson tied for second place with 6-under-par 210 totals, and Andrew Loupe tied for eighth place with a 4-under-par 212.
Sophomore Andrew Presley, who tied for 16th with a 2-under-par 214 last year, will also compete in this year’s tournament.
Senior standout Sang Yi finished in 29th last year with a 1-over-par 217. If his performances this season are any indication, he should have better results in this year’s tournament.
Yi placed 15th at the Jack Nicklaus Invitational on Oct. 11, following an impressive third place showing at the season-opening Carpet Capital Collegiate on Sept. 11.
Sophomore Landon Lyons and freshman Curtis Thompson round out the Tigers’ five-man roster.
Lyons competed last year and wrapped up the tournament in 50th place with a 10-over-par 226.
Sophomores Franco Castro and Smylie Kaufman, and freshmen Stewart Jolly and Myles Lewis will compete individually in the tournament.
The competition looks fierce for LSU as the 11-team field has seven top-60 ranked teams, according to Golfstat power rankings, including No. 32 Tulsa. The Tigers rank directly behind Tulsa at No. 33 in this week’s power rankings.
The David Toms Intercollegiate marks the second-to-last competition for the Tigers’ fall season, as they finish in the Isleworth Collegiate Invitational on Oct. 23 and 24.
 
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Contact Morgan Wampold at [email protected]