Privateer Golf Defeats LSU in Playoff to Win at Squire Creek

DAY ONE RECAP | FINAL RESULTS

CHOUDRANT, La. -- The University of New Orleans golf team picked up its biggest win under sixth-year head coach Chris McCarter on Tuesday, defeating nationally-ranked LSU in a playoff to take team honors at the Squire Creek Intercollegiate hosted by Louisiana Tech.

The Privateers shot a 2-under par 286 to reach sudden death and was 2-under par in the 10-man playoff to hand UNO its sixth team championship title in the last four seasons. UNO finished at 11-under par for the three-round event at Squire Creek Country Club.

"I have never been prouder for a team," said McCarter, the 2008 Louisiana Coach of the Year. "These guys just played phenomenal. We beat a lot of really good teams this week. It is by far the biggest win since I've been here."

UNO got the victory despite not having two-time All-Sun Belt Conference standout Jose Toledo, who is in Australia preparing for this week's World Amateur Team Championship.

But the Privateers got some big production throughout the lineup, including a pair of 2-under par 70's from sophomore Ken Looper and freshman Sebastian Szirmak. Looper, who was 7-under par in his last two rounds, and Szirmak each finished in a tie for 24th individually.

Senior Adam Cornelson (T-19th) was the low Privateer individual after a final-round 73, which was matched by sophomore Oscar Zetterwall (T-24th).

Hector Arias (T-24th) struggled with a 79 after shooting a combined 5-under par on Monday. But the junior came up big in the playoff, holing a 35-foot putt for birdie. Cornelson also added a birdie after hitting his approach shot to within five feet.

LSU, ranked No. 18 nationally in the latest Golfweek/Sagarin Performance Index, also shot 286 and finished at 11-under. Ole Miss finished in third place at 8-under par, while Louisville (5-under) got fourth. Louisiana-Lafayette and Nevada each tied for fifth at 2-under par.

UNO improved to 3-0 in playoffs under McCarter.

"This tournament had five teams that competed in the NCAA's last year, so it's tough to find a better field," McCarter said. "I knew these guys had the talent to put something like this together, but it was really exciting to see it all unfold."

UNO will return to action Oct. 27 at the Sam H. Hall Intercollegiate, hosted by Southern Mississippi.