Privateer Golf Rallies to Win Mardi Gras Invitational

DAY ONE RECAP | FINAL RESULTS

AVONDALE, La. -- The wind was up, the rain was falling and the conditions were ugly for Tuesday's final round of the Mardi Gras Invitational, hosted by the University of New Orleans.

But the Privateers still saved their best score for last.

UNO fired a final-round 4-under par 284 to claim the tournament title in an impressive come-from behind effort.

The Privateers, who entered the final round in fifth place, got three sub-par rounds to overtake second-round leader Southeastern Louisiana. It marked the third straight tournament title for UNO, which closed out the fall season with back-to-back crowns.

Sophomore Ken Looper made it a UNO sweep, taking home individual medalist honors following a 4-under par 68. He was 2-under par for the three-round event, edging St. Mary's (Calif) Robert McCrae by one shot.

Conditions were tough at the 7,000-yard layout for the third straight round. The 78-man field dealt with rain through the mid-morning before a steady wind took over for the final holes.

Despite the weather, the Privateers improved 14 shots from Monday's second-round 298. UNO opened the tournament with a 13-over par 301.

"We have a group of competitors and that is why I'm really proud of them," said Privateer head coach Chris McCarter. "It's very tough to put up a low score out here and with the conditions they faced today, it's even tougher. It was a great way to finish."

UNO had three players finish in the top 10 individually. Freshman Sebastian Szirmak (fourth place individually) shot a 2-under par 70 thanks to four birdies on the final nine.

The Privateers also got a 1-under 71 from Jose Toledo (T-9th) and a 75 from Oscar Zetterwal (T-45th) and Adam Cornelson (T-59th).

"We really closed well and that is exactly what you want to see," McCarter said. "We won two tournaments in the fall, and you don't do that without having the right mentality to finish tournaments."

The Lions got second place after a final-round 298, followed by third-place Mercer. West Florida and St. Mary's rounded out the top five.