Trojans fade late in match play, putting abrupt end to Men's Golf season

MUSCLE SHOALS, Alabama — The Little Rock Men's Golf team lost a playoff hole during Wednesday's semifinal round of match play, eliminating the Trojans from the OVC Championship and ending the team season short of a return trip to the NCAA Regionals.
 
After seemingly coasting to a top four spot during stroke play – the Trojans finished first with an eight-shot lead – Little Rock got out to a solid start against SIUE, leading 4-0-1, after the front nine, before slipping down the stretch and losing, 3-2.
 
Archie Smith – the overall individual champion in stroke play – dominated from the start in his match, building a 5-hole lead after just nine and coasting to a 5&4 victory. Smith earned the opportunity to compete as an individual at the NCAA Regionals thanks to his overall medalist finish. The NCAA Men's Golf Selection Show is scheduled for May 1 at 1 pm on the Golf Channel. Rhett South earned the other point for Little Rock, leading by four after the front nine before eventually winning, 3&2.
 
Matteo Cristoni led early but could never regain it once he fell behind by one on the 11^th hole, falling 2&1. Magnus Lomholt led by as many as four holes in the front nine only to fall behind with two holes to play. After tying it up heading into the final hole, Lomholt was outdone and lost, 1-up.
 
Jansen Smith also had a lead slip away in the back nine. Smith led by three holes after 10 and by two holes after 13 before the match was tied in the 16^th. Smith and his opponent split the last two holes to force a playoff, where the senior was outdone by a final of 1-up.