Men's Golf

DULUTH, Ga. – Mississippi State men's golf rallied on Tuesday to take fourth place at the Autotrader Collegiate Classic behind three top 15 individual finishes.

at Berkeley Hills Country Club, behind 1-under 71s from sophomore Peng Pichaikool and senior Taylor Grant.

“(Tuesday) was a solid day for our team,” MSU head coach Dusty Smith said. “The conditions were pretty tough again during the final round, but we were able to stay focused on our jobs and on what we can control.

“Our goal was to win the day (Tuesday) and we were almost able to do just that. I am proud of all five guys for being in the round the whole day.”

Grant bounced back from a 77 in round one to shoot a 71 in each of the final two rounds of the tournament. He and Pichaikool each shot 3-over through the three rounds to finish tied for 14th.

“Taylor and Peng were solid all round and able to give us some under par rounds today,” Smith said.

Sophomore Garrett Johnson had the best tournament for MSU, firing 72 in each of his first two rounds and a 73 in the final round to finish 1-over-par and in a tie for seventh.

“Garrett came up big for our team this week and I am excited for him,” Smith said.

In his return to the lineup, Austin Rose shot a 7-over 223 for the two days after firing a 74 on Tuesday.

Freshman Cameron Clarke finished tied for 63rd at 12-overpar. Clarke has played in all three of MSU's tournaments this season.

Georgia Southern was the only team to shoot under par for the tournament as it took first place. Host Georgia State finished second and Notre Dame claimed third in front of Mississippi State.

MSU will close its fall season at the Quail Valley Intercollegiate beginning Monday, its third tournament in as many weeks. The two-day tournament will be hosted by McNeese State at Quail Valley Golf Course in Vero Beach, Florida.

“We have another quick turnaround,” Smith said. “We are looking forward to getting back to work this week as we prepare for our final tournament of the fall.”