SAUCIER, Miss. | South Alabama split its two matches at the Grand Bear Match Play, finishing second in the final regular season competition two weeks prior to the conference championships.

The Jags defeated Louisiana in their opening match 3.5-2.5 led by Will Skipp who won his match 6&4 over Dylan Keating. Also picking up wins in the opening match included James Skeet (2&1) and Jack Hearn (4&2), while Jordan Plunkett halved his match with Malan Potgieter.

South Alabama fell to Southern Miss 4.5-1.5 in the championship match with Hearn picking up the whole point with a 4&3 victory over Bennett Ruby, while Hugo Thyr halved his match with Robbie Latter.

Tournament Information
Event (host): Grand Bear Match Play
Dates: April 11 (Tuesday)
Course: Grand Bay Golf Course

Match 1 vs. Louisiana (South Alabama wins 3.5-2.5)
James Skeet (USA) def. Max Feistmantl (UL) – 2&1
Jake Marler (UL) def. Hugo Thyr (USA) – 5&4
Will Skipp (USA) def. Dylan Keating (UL) – 6&4
Jack Hearn (USA) def. Charlie Flynn (UL) – 4&2
Eli Ortego (UL) def. Jacob LeCroy (USA) – 7&5
Jordan Plunkett (USA) vs. Malan Potgieter (UL) - half

Match 2 – Southern Miss (Southern Miss wins 4.5-1.5)
Thongpipat Rattanayanon (USM) def. Will Skipp (USA) – 2&1
Tommy Latter (USM) def. James Skeet (USA) – 3&2
Jack Hearn (USA) def. Bennett Ruby (USM) – 4&3
Ryan Dupuy (USM) def. Jacob LeCroy (USA) – 2&1
Robbie Latter (USM) vs. Hugo Thyr (USA) – half
Cameron Clarke (USM) def. Jordan Plunkett (USA) – 4&2

Up Next
South Alabama will be off until April 24 for the Sun Belt Conference Championships that will be held in Jackson (Miss.).

Quotable from head coach Ben Hannan ...
How important was it to finish off the regular season with match play that had a pair of teams from the conference competing?
"Matchplay is a different type of game that takes a different mindset, so it doesn't really matter who you're playing.  It's a different kind of pressure along with different decision-making.  It is golf's version of competing against the guy next to you."
 
Will have some time off before the tournament, how beneficial is that going to be?
"We are headed to a new course, Annandale Country Club this year. Due to conference rules, the guys have not stepped foot on the property, so no one has seen the golf course layout.  It's a good one though as it hosted a tour event for several years.  We will do as much research as we can and prepare our games accordingly. "
 
Jack Hearn played well and won both of his matches, the right time of year to get hot...
"Jack played very solid in both matches picking up quality wins.  But to be honest, we as a group played some really good golf and just didn't win enough individual holes to come out on top.  All the matches were very competitive. The best example of that was in Hugo's match which was halved on 18 earning a half point.  During the match, Hugo made 8 birdies and 1 eagle. Both played incredible golf having 6 holes with birdies.  That's what is interesting about matchplay and why it's so different and fun. It was a good event and very positive for us."

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