March 8, 2010

LAFAYETTE, La. -

First Round Results

Jack Belote shot a 69 in the opening round of the Louisiana Classics to lead the Tigers to a tie for third place heading into the second round. Belote is tied with three other individuals for second place after his first round performance.

Belote posted a four-under-par 32 on the front nine of the Oakbourne Country Club course in Lafayette, La. The Memphis sophomore shot a one-over-par score of 37 on the back nine to put him three-under-par for the morning round. Belote's score tied him with Southeastern Louisiana's Phillip Westermann and Cedric Scotto heading into the second round. Belote's opening round is a season-best for the Memphis-native. His career best round was a 68 during his freshman season at the C-USA Men's Championship at Red Tail Golf Club in Sorrento, Fla.

Jonathan Fly turned in an even-par 72 for the opening round to put him in a tie for 17th place. Steve Lee shot a one-over-par 73 to place him in a tie for No. 23. Jeff Hall turned in an opening round 75 to put him in a tie for 45th place and Lexus Keoninh turned in a score of 76 and is tied for 52nd place heading into the second round.

The Tigers finished in a two-way tie for third place with Conference USA foe Tulsa. Both teams opened the tournament with scores of 289. Memphis is two strokes back from Southeastern Louisiana in second place and five strokes back from the tournament leaders, the Fighting Illini of Illinois.

Illinois' Scott Langley was the opening round leader, shooting a four-under-par 68. Like Belote, Langley also posted a four-under-par score of 32 on the front nine. The Illinois golfer turned in an even-par 36 on the back nine.

The second round of play at the 2010 Louisiana Classics at the Oakbourne Country Club in Lafayette, La., began at 12:30 p.m., on Monday. Results will be posted at the conclusion of the second round on gotigersgo.com.