Columbus, Ga. – Lynn University’s top-ranked men’s golf team began its title defense with a third place finish at the Cougar Invitational presented by AFLAC. Toto Gana was the top finisher for the Fighting Knights, tying for fourth, while Carlos Bustos tied for 10th individually.
INSIDE THE TOURNAMENT:
Standing: 3rd of 17 teams
Location: Country Club of Columbus | Columbus, Ga.
Par/Yardage: 71/6,515
History at Event: Fifth appearance (Sixth in 2018; Best finish: T-2nd in 2011)
Get Social: Twitter – @Lynn_Knights | Instagram – @Lynn_Knights | Facebook – /LynnFightingKnights
HOW IT HAPPENED:
· Lynn shot its third consecutive round of 283, ending the tournament with a three-under par 849. Florida Southern outlasted Georgia Southwestern (848) in the first playoff hole to take medalist honors. Saint Leo (852) was fourth with host Columbus State (853) and Lee tied for fifth.
· Gana moved up the leaderboard with a one-under par 70. He closed out play with a four-under 209.
· Bustos was two-under par for the tournament (211) following his two-over par 73 on the final day.
· Giovanni Manzoni missed out on a top-10 finish by one-stroke (212). He shot a one-under 70 in the third round.
· Jorge Villar improved for the second consecutive round, logging an even par 71 to end the competition with a seven-over 220.
· Guillermo Casares shot a 221 following a one-over 72.
BEYOND THE SCORECARD:
· Lynn was the only school to shoot under par all three rounds and was one of three teams to finish under-par for the tournament.
· Gana collects his 18th career top-10 finish, tying him with former teammate Manuel Torres for second in school history.
· Bustos adds his the ninth top-10 finish of his career, moving him into a tie for 15th place in program history.
· Bustos and Manzoni were two of 17 golfers in the 89 player field to log eagles during the tournament.
· Casares’ 72 on the final day topped his previous career-best by one stroke while his 54-hole total is also a personal-best.
· This marked Casares first time in the starting five for Lynn. He previously played unattached at the Battle at the Shores
· The Cougar Invite featured nine teams ranked in the top-25, including five in the top-10: Lynn (1), No. 2 Barry, Florida Southern (No. 4), No. 5 Lincoln Memorial and No. 8 Florida Tech.
· Lynn was second in par 5 scoring (-21) and third in par 4 scoring (+15).
NEXT COURSE:
Lynn returns to action at the Shark Invitational beginning Monday, Oct. 7, at PGA National in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. Fans can keep up with live scoring at LynnFightingKnights.com.
