Golf: Magnus Shines at SBC Fall Preview With Fourth Place Finish

DESTIN, Fla. – Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns senior golfer Haraldur Magnus posted his second straight top 10 finish of the season and ninth of his career as the Cajuns closed out the Sun Belt Conference Fall Preview in fifth place with an overall score of 6-over par (858) this past weekend at the par-71, 6,860-yard Raven Golf Course.
 
The Cajuns got off to a slow start with a score of 7-over (291) in the first round on Saturday. The squad bounced back to card a score of 4-under (280) in the afternoon round  on Saturday before closing out the tournament with a score of 287 (�3) in the final round.
 
Troy claimed the tournament championship with an overall score of 12-under (840). Georgia Southern (E, 852), South Alabama (�3, 855), Georgia State (�4, 856) and Louisiana (�6, 858) round out the top 5 teams.
 
South Alabama’s Daniel Jansen claimed individual medalist honors with a three-round score of 8-under (205).
 
"We kind of got slapped in the face with the old wet towel this week," head coach Theo Sliman said. "The expectations with the playing six and counting four were high, and we just didn’t cut it on the last round. Having to count a 79 when you have people posting scores of 65 and 70 is not good. This was a good test for us to see where we stack up in the conference. We have a lot of work left to do."
 
Magnus used a career-best round of 67 (-4) in the second round along with a final round 70 (-1) to notch his career-low 54-hole score of 5-under (208) to finish in a tie for fourth.  The senior has notched six straight rounds of par of better this fall.
 
Ragnar Gardarsson also had a strong showing with his first career top 25 finish placing in 12th place with an overall score of 1-over (214). Gardarsson overcame an opening round 78 (�7) to post scores of 71 (E) and 65 (-6) to close out the tournament. The 65 was the lowest round posted at the SBC Fall Preview and is career-best for Gardarsson who is in his first season with Louisiana.
 
"It’s nice to see the leadership of Haddi (Haraldur) with another top 10 finish. He has been very consistent this fall, which is what you expect from a senior," Sliman said. "Was also really impressed with the mental toughness of Ragnar to bounce back from a tough opening round to card scores of 71 and 65."
 
Junior Fernando Cruz Valle ended the tournament in a tie for 29th at 6-over (219), while freshman Tristan Elston finished in a tie for 35th at 10-over (223).
 
"It was also nice to see a good performance from freshman Tristan Elston," Sliman added. "Minus a few mistakes in the final round, he showed that he can be a really good player for us."
 
Christian Verrougstrate and Andres Navarrete capped the scoring for the Cajuns. Verrougstraete finished 45th at 13-over (226) and Navarrete placed in a tie for 52nd at 16-over (229).
 
"I was expecting a lot more from the bottom of our lineup this weekend, but this is why you play the preview," Sliman said. "We have a long way to go to get to where we need to be come April, but we have a lot of time to do so, and the answer to that equation is hard work."
 
Louisiana returns to action Oct. 4-6 at the Cabo Del Sol Intercollegiate hosted by Santa Clara in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.
 
For updates and info on Ragin’ Cajuns golf, follow the squad on twitter @CajunGolf or check RaginCajuns.com.