Hogs tied for 8th in Baton Rouge

University of Arkansas, Fayetteville men’s golf Coach Brad McMakin had hope that his team would shed its opening- round struggles heading into the NCAA postseason this week.

The Razorbacks didn’t do it. Arkansas shot an 11- over 299 in the first round of the NCAA Baton Rouge Regional on Monday to tie for eighth place in the 14- team event at the University Club golf course.

No. 6 LSU carded a 12- under 276 on its home course to lead No. 18 Virginia ( 6 under) and No. 7 Oregon ( 1 under). No. 19 Duke is fourth at 3 over; followed by Kentucky, 4 over; Jacksonville, 6 over; and Jacksonville State ( Ala.), 9 over.

The top five teams from each of six NCAA regionals will advance to the NCAA championships, which begin next week outside of Chicago. The Razorbacks are tied with Northwestern, seven shots out of the fifth qualifying spot.

The opening round has been Arkansas’ worst round in every spring event this year. Freshman Mason Overstreet led the Razorbacks with a 1- over 73, with 2 bogeys and 1 birdie on the 7,372- yard layout. Overstreet is tied for 20th in the medalist race.

Sophomore Charles Kim fired a 2- over 74, which featured nine consecutive pars on his front nine, two birdies, two bogeys and a double bogey on the back nine. Kim is tied for 23rd.

Junior Alvaro Ortiz and freshman Luis Garza, playing in the top two spots for the Hogs, both shot 4- over 76. Garza was as low as 2- under through six holes, but he had two double bogeys on the back nine. Ortiz made the turn at 1- over par, but he had four bogeys and one birdie on his next five holes.

Freshman William Buhl had a noncounting score of 8 over, hurt by an 8 on the par- 4 14th hole.