A fight to the finish; Arkansas ends on top

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NOTRE DAME, Ind.-The luck of the Irish had little to do with the University of Arkansas men’s golf team’s win at the Notre Dame Fighting Irish Gridiron Classic on Tuesday. The Razorbacks were in prime position to take the win after a second place finish in day one of play, and they delivered on day two, bettering their previous round by 10-strokes. Arkansas finished four strokes ahead of UC Davis in the final round of play, and beating the previous year’s winner, Michigan by eight strokes for a score of 863 (287-293-283).

Leading Arkansas’ ascent was senior golfer Andrew Landry. Landry who posted 70 and 71 for the first two rounds of play, came into the final round in a three-way tie for first. He shot an even par the last round, only to be edged out of the lead by Michigan State’s Randy Hutchison, leaving him with a 1-over 211 (70-71-70) final.

Hot on the heels of Landry’s second place finish, sophomore Jamie Marshall fired a 1-under 69 for the third place finish, and at 2-over for his first three rounds of the 2008-2009 season.

“Andrew played good, and Jamie was a tremendous addition to the team this week. He played really well for us, and it was good to have him there,” head coach Brad McMakin said

Helping seal the win for the Razorbacks, David Lingmerth carded a 2-under final round, snapping back from his previous day’s scores of 74 and 73. Lingmerth had been tied at the end of day one for 17th place, but blew past the competition to end in a three-way tie with VCU’s Rafael Campos and Lamar’s Leroux Ferriera, leaving him at 5-over for the tournament. Will Osborne ended day two with a 77, and Ethan Tracy with a 76.

“It was a hard golf course, but we played well. Of the top five scores we had three of them, so we feel pretty good about that. Really, Andrew and Jamie were neck and neck with the winner, but Hutchison sank a 10-footer on the last hole for the win, ” McMakin said of his team’s performance.

The Razorbacks hit the road again October 27th and 28th for the Baylor Invitational held at the Royal Oaks Country Club.