Lafayette, La. ? Kansas senior Ben Welle outlasted Thomas Detry of Illinois to win the Louisiana Classics Invitational individual title by a single stroke. Welle’s victory marks the second title of his KU career. He has four top-five finishes in the seven events in which he has competed in 2015-16.
In team competition, Kansas finished second to Illinois by one stroke.
The four birdies Welle recorded in the final round, including a bogey-free front-nine, helped the Moorhead, Minn., native to the win. Welle’s total of 209 was good enough to come back to Lawrence with some hardware.
“I definitely knew I was in the mix coming down the stretch and really found a way to finish today,” Welle said. “Most of all it’s good to see I am becoming more and more comfortable winning golf tournaments.”
Their second-place finish was the Jayhawks’ seventh top-five in eight events.
Four individual Jayhawks finished in the top-15. In addition to Welle’s winning score of 209, Charlie Hillier finished in a tie for fifth at 213, Connor Peck and Chase Hanna tied for 11th at even-par 216, Daniel Hudson tied for 28th at 221 and Brock Drogosch tied for 39th at 223.
Louisiana Classics
Tuesday in Lafayette, La.
Oakbourne Country Club
Par-72, 6,898 yards
Team Scores
Illinois 849
Kansas 850
Texas A&M 853
Southeastern Louisiana 875
UTSA 877
Kent State 878
UT Arlington 881
Louisiana 886
Middle Tennessee State 888
Texas State 895
Southern Mississippi 911
Illinois State 915
Leaders
Ben Welle, Kansas 209
Thomas Detry, Illinois 210
Charlie Danielson, Illinois 211
Cameron Champ, A&M 212
T5. Charlie Hillier, Kansas 213
T5. James Anstiss, So. La 213
Kansas Scores
T5. Charlie Hillier 213
T11. Connor Peck 216
T11. Chase Hanna 216
T28. Daniel Hudson 221
T39. Brock Drogosch 223