Johnson Leads MSU In Louisiana Classics Day One

Monday, February 26

Lafayette, La. (Oakbourne CC)

All Day

Mississippi State

Louisiana Classics

Johnson Leads MSU In Louisiana Classics Day One

February 26, 2018 | Men's Golf

Day 2 Live Stream Live Stats

LAFAYETTE, La. – After a strong opening round, Mississippi State men's golf is in 10th after two rounds Monday at the Louisiana Classics Golf Tournament in Lafayette, La.

Through 18, the team shot a 1-under 287 for a share of fifth behind two under-par rounds from sophomores Peng Pichaikool and Garrett Johnson, before shooting 6-over in the second round of the day.

"I thought we did a very nice job in our morning round and felt like we had momentum all throughout the first 18," MSU head men's golf coach Dusty Smith said. "We did a good job of competing the entire day."

Johnson led the team, shooting a 2-over 142 for the day and a clean 70 in the second round to a tie for 15th. The sophomore led the field with 30 pars on Monday, while State also led with 125 even holes.

"I felt very calm and collected today," Johnson said. "Having no bogeys in the second round was, and will be a big confidence booster going into tomorrow and the rest of the spring."

"Garrett was steady all day for us and was very disciplined," Smith said. "He had a big day for our team."

MSU's best round of the day came from Pichaikool, who shot a 3-under 69 in the opening round.

Pichaikool, Taylor Grant and Ross Bell all shot 2-over 176s to close the day tied for 43rd. Jacob Ross finished 81st with an 8-over.

The field was led by top-ranked Texas A&M, who put up a 21-under Monday, while Kent State's Ian Holt shot an 8-under to lead all individuals.

State will look to improve and move up in a tight field in Tuesday's final round, set to begin at 7:30 a.m. CT. Hosts Louisiana-Lafayette will continue to provide a live stream of the tournament, as well as live stats via Golfstat.

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Mississippi State head men's golf coach Dusty Smith:

"I thought we did a very nice job in our morning round and felt like we had momentum all throughout the first 18. We did a good job of competing the entire day. At this level, there is a fine line between being a good team and being a great team; you can always find the difference in the little things. We need to do a better job tomorrow on focusing on the simple things. If we take care of that, we will be where we need to be."

"Garrett was steady all day for us and was very disciplined. He had a big day for our team."

Sophomore Garrett Johnson:

"I felt very calm and collected today. I was prepared for today and had a good game plan. Coach Smith and I talked all last week about playing to the fat sides of every green and giving myself as many opportunities as I could, and I executed that game plan very well today. Having no bogeys in the second round was, and will be a big confidence booster going into tomorrow and the rest of the spring."

Louisiana Classics Golf Tournament
1. Texas A&M (282+273=555)
2. Illinois (281+281=562)
3. Kent State (281+282=563)
4. McNeese State (289+277=566)
5. Sam Houston State (290+282=572)
6. Louisville (281+292=573)
7. ULM (288+285=573)
8. Texas State (290+284=574)
9. UMKC (288+289=577)
10. Mississippi State (287+292=579)
11. UTSA (287+294=581)
12. Toledo (297+285=582)
13. Louisiana (295-289=584)
14. Rice (301+285=586)
15. Southern Miss (299+299=598)

MSU Players
T15. Garrett Johnson (72+70=142)
T43. Peng Pichaikool (69+77=146)
T43. Taylor Grant (72+74=146)
T43. Ross Bell (74+72=146)
81. Jacob Ross (80+76=156)