PUERTO VALLARTA, Mexico-Louisiana’s Ragin’ Cajuns golf team shot 10 under as a team in the first round of the GADO/North Texas Classic and finished the second round at even par to hold a 13-stroke advantage after day one in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

The Cajuns were the only team to finish the day below par and held a 13 stroke advantage after the first two rounds of competition.

UL is 13 strokes ahead of Washington (579). In third place, Southeastern Louisiana (580) tied with Cal State-Northridge (580), and rounding out the top-5 was New Orleans (582).

The Cajuns got an early preview of Sun Belt Conference competition as five other SBC schools competed in the event. UNO finished the day in fifth place, while Middle Tennessee (586) and Troy (587) wrapped up the day in seventh and eighth, respectively. Tournament host North Texas (589) finished the day in ninth place, while UALR (598) tied with Houston for 11th.

At the conclusion of the day, all five of the Cajuns in the tournament finished in the top-20.

The Ragin’ Cajuns had a solid first round performance from all five on the roster to jump out to an early lead.

In the first round, the Cajuns were paced by Morgan Landry (Lafayette, La.) who shot a team best, 67. His five under-par performance bested Thomas Petts (North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada) by one stroke.

Senior Michael Smith (Lafayette, La.) finished the inaugural round of the North Texas Classic under par. His one-under par 71 was one stroke better than Devin Carrey (South Surrey, British Columbia, Canada) who shot an opening round of 72.

Dustin Petit (Luling, La.) carded an opening round of 75.

In the second round, Petit and Smith both carded rounds of 71 – the only two Cajuns to boast sub-par performances for UL in the second round.

Smith finished the day in a tie for fifth place with his two-under par total of 142. Petts carded a second round total of 74 to tie with Smith at two under par.

Carrey was once again consistent for the Cajuns carding a second round of 72 to finish the day at even par and in 13th place.

Landry concluded the day in a tie for 14th place, just one-stroke over par, while Petit finished his day at two-over par and in a tie for 17th.

The Ragin’ Cajuns golf team will continue play in the GADO/North Texas Classic on Monday, Feb. 18 with the final round of competition.

RaginCajuns.com

Chris Whitehead