LSU men’s golfers Sam Burns and Luis Gagne did not know what to expect when they traveled to El Paso, Texas, to compete in the 2016 Sun Bowl Western Refining All-America Golf Classic.
The tournament features amateur golf’s brightest talents. Stars like Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson represent a few of the all-time greats who have participated in the Sun Bowl since its inception in 1974.
The tournament invites All-Americans of the previous year to play for the title, and LSU’s sophomore duo Burns and Gagne were among this year’s participants.
“We were honored to be included in the 2016 field,” Gagne said. “We do our best to represent LSU well, so we were glad we got the opportunity to do so in the Sun Bowl.”
Burns claimed the Sun Bowl’s Championship crown, shooting 5-under par 66 in the final round to claim a three-stroke win.
However, Burns’s victory did not come without stiff competition.
Oklahoma State’s Kristoffer Ventura led Burns by one stroke at the beginning of the final round, but LSU’s All-American wasted no time in taking the lead.
Burns fired back-to-back birdies at the fifth and sixth holes and never relinquished his first place spot.
“I didn’t let myself focus on how many strokes I was down by,” Burns said. “I’ve been down in big situations like that before, but I did my best to stay aggressive, and I was able to take the lead.”
Burns’s championship is the highest finish for the Tigers since Zach Wright’s runner-up performance in 2010, and Burns is the first LSU golfer to win the Sun Bowl tournament in the 42-year history of the event.
Gagne also had a solid showing in the tournament and fired two-under 69 in the final round to finish in a four-way tie for seventh place.
Burns and Gagne are not only thrilled with their scores, but they are equally excited to now be included in the tournament’s alumni, some of whom have gone on to win a total of 50 major championships.
“I think it’s great that I had the opportunity to represent LSU on such a prestigious stage,” Burns said. “I’m really humbled to be included among the past winners of this tournament, and I’m glad I was able to give LSU its first title here.”
“The El Paso Country Club ran a first-class tournament, and I’m happy I received the opportunity to compete with some of college golf’s best players.”