It wasn’t a fair fight down in Lafayette, as the Illinois golf team stormed through the Louisiana Classics.
While not the strongest field sported this season, it was the most impressive showing for the Illini in the past few years. They went into the Louisiana Classics and threw up a team score of -41, which was 38 shots better than the second-place finisher, Louisiana, who shot -3 for the tournament.
You would think that big of a victory would set some records, and you would be correct. Illinois recorded the lowest 54-hole score in the Louisiana Classics tournament history at 823. The prior lowest was 835.
The Illini also managed to set the record for the largest margin of victory at 38 strokes. The prior was also Illinois in 2015 at 22 strokes. So, now we are just beating our own records. Illinois also set the record for the lowest round in tournament history at 268 in the third round. The prior lowest was 273.
Setting records is something that doesn’t happen often, but winning is starting to become a trend with the Orange and Blue. Illinois has now played in three multi-team tournaments this spring and brought home first place in each event. This is a streak that is rarely seen in golf.
Who led the Illinois golf team in the Louisiana Classics?
Everyone. The answer to that question is everyone on the Illinois golf team led the team. It was a bloodbath.
Illinois sophomore Jerry Ji entered the tournament as the No. 3 golfer for the program, but he came away with a three-round total of -13 and a first-place honor individually. He was four shots clear of second place, which was held by some of his teammates.
Adrien Dumont de Chassart and Michael Feagles both finished the tournament at -9 and a tie for second place. Giovanni Tadiotto threw up a three-round total of -6, which was good enough for fifth-place. And the final golfer for Illinois who counted toward the team total was Tommy Kuhl, who was -3 for the tournament, which was good enough for seventh-place.
So, what I am saying here is that Illinois sported five golfers who counted toward the team total, and each of the five players finished in the top seven of the tournament. I can honestly say that I have never seen that in my lifetime.
I also want to point out how bright Illinois’ future is on the course. Illini freshman Piercen Hunt traveled and played as an independent in the tournament. That means his score didn’t count toward the team total. The talented freshman threw up a three-day total of even-par, which was good enough for a tie for 13th. That is an impressive showing for someone who is just dipping his toe into the college golf waters.
Once again, Illinois shows their firepower at the top and the depth they have throughout the roster. This might be the best team I have seen Illinois put on the course in my lifetime. There is a legit shot to win the national title this season.