March 9, 2010
Lafayette, La. -
Team Results in PDF Format 
Individual scores in PDF Format
For some schools, a second-place finish at a 15-team tournament might be reason to celebrate, but for the 13th-ranked Illinois men's golf team, who has nine tournament titles combined in the last two seasons, winning is the goal.
After leading the first round and sharing the lead after round two, Illinois placed second at the LA Classics Invitational held at the 7,141-yard par-72 Oakbourne Club in Lafayette, La.
In difficult conditions, LSU posted a final round four-over par 292 to claim the title at even par 864 overall. Illinois shot 294 as a team to finish second at 866 (+2), five strokes in front of Tulsa (871). Southeastern Louisiana (881) and Memphis (882) rounded out the top five.
"We were competitive and beat some good teams, but at the same time we want to win," head coach Mike Small said.
Illinois counted two 73s and two 74s in its +6 third round. Junior Scott Langley had a 73 after back-to-back 68s on Monday to place second overall at -7 (209), one stroke behind tournament champion Andrew Loupe of LSU, who recovered from a first round 74 to shoot back-to-back 67s.
Illinois senior Matt Hoffman gave the Illini two players in the top 10 with another consistent round. Hoffman shot 73 to tie for 10th at +1. Sophomore Luke Guthrie (70-76-74) tied for 21st while junior Chris DeForest (77-74-74) and senior Zach Barlow (74-74-77) tied for 42nd in the 85-man field.
"If you want to win a tournament, you need to shoot under par and we only posted three red number rounds the entire tournament," Small said. "The other key is to start the last day strong and get that eraser score, but we struggled out of the gates.
"It's early," he continued. "We're learning about ourselves and figuring out where we are. However, the spring is going to go and come by faster than we think and we have lofty goals come May and June."
