BATON ROUGE–No. 5 LSU Men’s Golf showcased their talent with an impressive fifth-place finish at the prestigious Ka’anapali Classic, achieving a remarkable 33-under 819 in their 54 holes of competition. The event saw two Tigers excel by securing positions within the top 15 of the individual leaderboard, highlighting their competitive prowess.
LSU continues to demonstrate their strength in the sport, rounding off their initial tournament schedule under the guidance of new head coach Jake Amos with yet another commendable top 5 finish. With a total of two team victories, two individual triumphs, and four top 5 placements throughout five tournaments, the Tigers are heading into the winter season with strong momentum.
Jay Mendell led the charge for the Tigers, finishing with an impressive score of 11-under 202, which placed him T8 on the individual leaderboard. Notably, he achieved his highest finish of the season at the Ka’anapali Classic, while also recording his lowest score to par so far in 2024. Meanwhile, Matthew Dodd-Berry returned to the competition after a brief hiatus since October 2nd, finishing at 9-under 204 to claim T13 and securing his second top-15 finish of the season.
Árni Sveinsson concluded the Ka’anapali Classic with a compelling performance, finishing at 7-under 206 to earn T24 and extending his impressive streak of top 25 finishes. As a standout freshman, Sveinsson is currently ranked as the number 9 college men’s golfer and has enjoyed an outstanding debut in the fall season, which earned him two consecutive SEC Freshman of the Week honors. Heading into the Spring, he maintains a commendable 1-under 70.33 stroke average.
Alfons Bondesson made his fourth appearance in the LSU lineup at this tournament, delivering a solid performance over 54 holes to finish at 2-under 212, resulting in a T58 finish. Algot Kleen faced challenges throughout the event, bouncing back from an opening round of 73 with a better second-round score of 2-under 69, but struggled in the final round. He ultimately finished with a total score of 1-over 215, placing him at T73 on the individual leaderboard.
The Tigers are set to kick off their Spring season at the highly anticipated Puerto Rico Classic, scheduled to take place in Coco Beach, PR from February 10-12, 2025.
Top 5 Team Leaderboard (Par 71)
1 Oklahoma – 264-273-273 -42
2 Colorado – 270-274-272 -36
3 Kansas – 269-273-275 -35
4 Indiana – 268-275-275 -34
5 LSU – 268-277-274 -33
LSU Scores
T8 Jay Mendell – 69-68-65 -11
T14 Matthew Dodd-Berry – 67-68-69 -9
T25 Árni Sveinsson – 64-72-70 -7
T57 Alfons Bondesson – 68-73-70 -2
T73 Algot Kleen – 73-69-72 +1
**Interview with Coach Jake Amos of the LSU Men’s Golf Team**
**Interviewer:** Coach Amos, congratulations on the team’s impressive performance at the Ka’anapali Classic! How does it feel to secure a fifth-place finish with such a remarkable score of 33-under 819?
**Coach Amos:** Thank you! It feels fantastic. The team put in a lot of hard work leading up to this tournament, and seeing them showcase their talent on such a prestigious stage is really rewarding. Finishing at 33-under is a testament to their skills and mindset.
**Interviewer:** Jay Mendell had an outstanding performance, finishing T8 with an 11-under score. What can you tell us about his journey this season and how he performed at this tournament?
**Coach Amos:** Jay has been a standout player for us. This tournament marked his highest finish of the season, and he displayed incredible consistency throughout. His lowest score to par this year really speaks to his preparation and focus. I’m proud of how he handled the pressure and contributed to the team’s success.
**Interviewer:** With two team victories and four top 5 finishes already this season, how do you feel about the team’s potential as you head into the winter?
**Coach Amos:** I’m very optimistic! The players have shown they can compete at a high level, and we’re building a solid foundation as a team. Our success so far gives us great momentum, and I’m excited for the upcoming challenges. The goal is to keep enhancing our game and pushing ourselves in the next tournaments.
**Interviewer:** As a new head coach, what are your main focuses moving forward with the team?
**Coach Amos:** One of my main focuses is to enhance our mental game and consistency. Golf can be very mental, and I want to ensure our players are equipped to handle the ups and downs that come with competition. I’m also committed to fostering a strong team dynamic and encouraging each player to support one another.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Coach Amos, for your insights. We look forward to seeing how the Tigers continue to perform this season!
**Coach Amos:** Thank you! I appreciate your support, and I’m excited for what’s ahead. Geaux Tigers!
