University of Illinois
Louisiana Classics
Illini Open Louisiana Classics With ‘Total Team Effort’
March 15, 2021 | Men's Golf
LAFAYETTE, La. – The Fighting Illini men's golf team shot a two-round total of 555 (-21) to open up a 13-stroke lead during Monday's first two rounds of the 36th annual Louisiana Classics at Oakbourne Country Club.
The Illini jumped out to an early edge behind strong starts from sophomore Jerry Ji and senior Michael Feagles. But the Orange and Blue used a "total team effort" during the second round to bounce back from a late-Round 1 swoon and extend the lead heading into Tuesday's finale.
"Jerry and Michael kept us out front in the morning round with two 4-unders," head coach Mike Small said. "It was good to see them come out of the box like that. This golf course can be tricky and they got around pretty solid in the first round."
Ji was one of two competitors – along with Oral Roberts' Dustin Hasley (69-69—138) – to card two rounds in the 60s on Monday. He shot 68-69 to sit at 7-under (137) in a four-way tie for the individual lead, one stroke ahead of Feagles (68-70—138) who is tied for fifth.
"Jerry played steady all day," Small added. "But It was a total team effort. I think all the guys helped and contributed to an extent."
In fact, the Illini finished the day with all five of their lineup in the top 18, thanks, in part, to an impressive bounce-back effort from junior Adrien Dumont de Chassart. Dumont de Chassart shot a 75 (+3) in Round 1, but finished 10 strokes better in Round 2 with a 65, to vault up the leaderboard into eighth place with a two-round total of 140 (-4).
"Adrien was not happy with his morning round," Small said. "He played loose, and It didn't go well for him, but for him to come back and turn it around like that – fire that eraser score we always talk about – 7-under par was huge.
"This golf course can get up and grab you if you lose your focus and get out of position, or not get back into position quickly. And that happened to us at the end of the first round, we gave back some shots. As a coach, it was good to see us come back this afternoon when the wind came up and to close better on the same holes was encouraging."
Like Dumont de Chassart, junior Tommy Kuhl also improved from Round 1 to Round 2. Kuhl is tied for 12th with a 36-hole total of 143 (-1) after firing rounds of 74 and 69. Senior Giovanni Tadiotto (72-72—144 (E)) is one stroke behind Kuhl in a tie for 18th.
As a team, the Illini's 555 (-21) is 13 strokes ahead of host Louisiana (568) in second place. Sam Houston State (574) is third, followed by North Texas (577) and Rice (578) to round out the top five team standings.
Three Illini are also competing as individual in the event. Sophomore Nico Lang (71-72—143) is tied with Kuhl for 12th place. Freshman Piercen Hunt matched Tadiotto with back-to-back rounds of even-par to tie for 18th. Senior Brendan O'Reilly (71-79—150) is tied for 55th at 6-over.
Tee times for Tuesday's third round are slated to begin at 7:30 a.m. CT. The Illini, paired with the Ragin' Cajuns and Bearkats, tee off beginning at 9 a.m. CT. Live scoring will be available at GolfStat. Round 3 will also include streaming coverage on ESPN+ beginning at 9:30 a.m. CT.
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| Place | Player | RD1 | RD2 | RD3 | TOTAL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| T1 | Illinois | 282 | 273 | - | 555 (-21) |
| T1 | Jerry Ji | 68 | 69 | - | 137 (-7) |
| T5 | Michael Feagles | 68 | 70 | - | 138 (-6) |
| 8 | Adrien Dumont de Chassart | 75 | 65 | - | 134 (-4) |
| T12 | Tommy Kuhl | 74 | 69 | - | 143 (-1) |
| T12 | Nico Lang (Ind.) | 71 | 72 | - | 143 (-1) |
| T18 | Giovanni Tadiotto | 72 | 72 | - | 144 (E) |
| T18 | Piercen Hunt (Ind.) | 72 | 72 | - | 144 (E) |
| T55 | Brendan O'Reilly (Ind.) | 71 | 79 | - | 150 (+6) |
