On Friday, Missouri’s men’s and women’s golf teams headed to St. Simons Island, Georgia, and Birmingham, Alabama, respectively, to compete in their respective Southeastern Conference tournaments.
Both tournaments host five golfers from each school who compete individually, generating a team score. After day one, the men sit in 8th and the women in 4th. Although both are solid scores, both Tigers teams will need to play much better to have chances come Sunday.
Here’s where the Mizzou men and women stand after the first day:
####Men
Needing an exceptional finish to make the NCAA tournament, Mizzou knew they’d need to place well in this year’s SEC tournament. As it currently stands, the Tigers are ranked No. 73 by [Golfstat.com](golfstat.com), and to make the tournament, they’d need at least a top-half SEC finish.
After day one, the Tigers are in 8th at 9-over par and just 12 shots off the lead.
Missouri junior Linus Lilliedahl led the Mizzou golfers with a 1-over 71, which was good enough for a tied-17th finish. Junior Euan Walker and sophomore Hayden Buckley sit right behind him at 2-over.
Freshman Matt Echelmeier, who is one of three Mizzou golfers playing in their first SEC tournament, shot 4-over, and freshman Preston Fleener shot 10-over.
####Women
Ranked No. 31 in the nation, the Missouri women’s golf team took the course early Friday morning with an opportunity to make waves in the SEC.
Of course, with No. 1 Alabama also competing, winning was always going to be tough and after day one, Missouri stands in a tie for 4th.
Like the men, this team is stacked with youth. The Tigers are led by freshman Amanda Kim, Marit Harryvan and Emma Allen.
After day one, Kim is tied for 4th at 2-under, while Harryvan and Allen sit at 2-over and 3-over, respectively. Scoring for Mizzou as well was redshirt senior Michelle Butler and junior Jess Meek sit at 4-over and 10-over, respectively.
Both teams will be back in action Saturday for the second round of the SEC tournament, and both will need to play well to make up ground and have a chance come Sunday.
_Edited by George Roberson | groberson@themaneater.com_
