If the trend continues, the No. 7 LSU women’s golf team is set for a first-place finish this weekend in the LSU Tiger Golf Classic at the University Club, which begins today at 8:30 a.m. 
The Lady Tigers finished in first place at The Alamo Invitational on Oct. 28, 2014, second in the Lady Puerto Rico Classic on Feb. 4, first at the Allstate Sugar Bowl Intercollegiate on Feb. 24 and second in the Darius Rucker Intercollegiate on March 8. 
If LSU continues the same progression, then it is due for a first-place finish this week in its only home tournament this season.
LSU is optimistic about its tournament at home, but in some cases, that adds unnecessary pressure to the team.
“We try to treat it as every other tournament, but obviously it is at home,” said LSU coach Karen Bahnsen. “We only have one of these every year. We try to keep our minds on what we are doing and not get distracted by everything else. I tell them, ‘Relax, guys. Go play golf. This is the same course we play every day.’”
The Tigers will compete against a talented field this weekend, including Kentucky, Mississippi State, Missouri and in-state foe Tulane.
This will be LSU’s last competition before the Southeastern Conference Championship tournament April 17 through 19. The Lady Tigers are excited to have their “tune-up” tournament at home because their knowledge of the course layout gives them confidence.
“Experience here is helpful,” Bahnsen said. “There are certain holes out here that I want them to be 100 percent confident about how they are going to play it. We are focusing more on course strategy than anything.”
The Lady Tigers came in second place in their most recent tournament on March 8, which featured strong performances from most of their lineup.
Senior Madelene Sagstrom (No. 3 in individual rankings, according to Golfweek) finished her weekend at 6-under par, 207, concluding with a playoff for the tournament’s individual title. 
Sophomore Caroline Nistrup (No. 15) finished the tournament in a tie for seventh place. Sophomore Carly Goldstein and junior Nadine Dreher each finished in the top-30 standings at the end of the competition.
Bahnsen was proud of the way her team played, applauding its fight for first place throughout the duration of tournament. It marked as the third tournament away from home in a row for the Tigers.
You can reach Christian Boutwell on Twitter @CBoutwell_TDR.