Final round doesn't lift Tech, Golden Eagles finish ninth at OVC

MUSCLE SHOALS, Ala. -- The Tennessee Tech men's golf team was hoping a strong final round Wednesday could bump the Golden Eagles a few notches higher in the standings, but it didn't work out that way. Tech improved by seven strokes over Tuesday's total, but a 314 in the final round left the Golden Eagles in ninth place in the final standings.

Senior Greyson Painter shot his best round of the 54-hole tournament with a 75 Wednesday, finishing as Tech's top scorer in a tie for 22nd place at 230. Painter carded rounds of 76 and 79 in the first two rounds, and finished the tourney at 14-over par.

Senior Wes Korth was next, finishing in a tie for 34th place at 235, while sophomore Tyler Cassetty was tied for 36th plaec at 237. Korth closed the tournament with an 80, following his scores of 77 and 79. Cassetty, Tech's leader after a first round 75, closed with back-to-back rounds of 81 for his final tally.

Senior Jared Dunn was next, finishing in 39th place. He shot 78 Wednesday, coupled with his first two scores of 81 and 82 for a 241 total. Senior Jake Heatherly rounded out Tech's lineup, finishing at 84-85-84--253 for 42nd place.

Austin Peay outlasted two weather delays totaling nearly three hours and came from five strokes down entering the day to claim its seventh OVC championship. The Govs (877) owned a six-shot advantage Wednesday over Murray State, edging the Racers (878) by a single shot.

Jacksonville State and Eastern Kentucky (888) tie for third place, followed by Morehead State (890), Tennessee State (915), Eastern Illinois (931), UT Martin (936) and Tech (944).

In the individual medalist competition, Jacksonville State's Gonzalo Berlin became the fourth Gamecock individual medalist with a 1-stroke victory over Morehead State's Lee Chaney.