Murray State men’s golf team finished in 10th place on Wednesday in the OVC Championship at The Shoals Golf Club in Muscle Shoals, Alabama.
Murray State looked to improve steadily throughout the tournament, but failed to do so shooting 314-309-312, and finishing with a three-day total of 935.
Jacksonville State held a slim lead of three strokes over Belmont after day one, with Morehead State and Tennessee Tech rounding out the top four.
Murray State struggled as a team in round one play, scoring a 314 and earning 10th-place among the field of 11. Three of the Racers five golfers this week got their first look at the Fighting Joe course at The Shoals Golf Club. Sophomore Austin Knight from Hopkinsville, Kentucky is no stranger though, firing a first round 72 and securing a spot in the top 10 at eighth place.
On day two, the Racers managed to shave a few shots off their 314 from the previous round, scoring a 309 and remaining in 10th-place ahead of Eastern Illinois.
Junior Lance Davis from Mayfield, Kentucky matched his teammate Austin Knight on day two with a second round score of 74. Davis moved into a share of 37th place while Knight secured a spot in sixth, moving him just six shots off the leader, Jacksonville State freshman Jesus Montenegro.
Murray State tee’d off with Eastern Illinois to begin round three play on Wednesday. The Racers were led by Austin Knight again on day three, as he shot a team high 75. Knight would finish the tournament tied for 13th place.
Jacksonville State took home first place as a team with Nick Wilkins from Morehead State and Jack Uselton from Belmont sharing first place honors for individuals.
In a week that was littered with setbacks, Head Coach Eddie Hunt was disappointed with his team’s overall performance.
“The bottom line was we did not play very good,” Hunt said. “We had one player that played really good, Austin Knight, but the rest of the team just did not play well, did not play the course well and we didn’t have anyone else step up.”
Murray State men’s golf team will participate individually this summer in various tournaments across the state to prepare for the season this fall.
“They’ll play a lot of really good courses and good competition this summer,” Hunt said. “I think the ones coming back will be ready to play again and hope to have a little bit more success than we had this year.”
Murray State men’s golf will be back in action this September as they look to shake off this spring and start a new chapter in the fall.