LSU Men’s Golf Team Begins NCAA Regional Play Sunday After Schedule Shift Due to Inclement Weather Concerns
The LSU men’s golf team is set to begin its NCAA Regional journey on Sunday as the tournament schedule has been adjusted by the NCAA due to weather concerns in various parts of the country. The Tigers, led by head coach Chuck Winstead, will begin play in a highly competitive field after a week of preparation, aiming to advance through their regional site and into the NCAA Championships.
Originally scheduled to begin on Monday, the NCAA announced changes to the format and start times for all six regional tournaments. The decision was prompted by forecasts of inclement weather that could disrupt normal play early in the week. In response, regional sites will now begin competition on Sunday, with a condensed format that ensures the completion of play and fairness across the board. The change marks a rare but necessary adjustment to collegiate golf’s most important postseason stage, and it places added pressure on teams to be ready earlier than anticipated.
LSU, which has shown strong performances throughout the spring season, will travel to one of the six regional host sites — each featuring 13 or 14 teams — with the top five teams from each advancing to the NCAA Championships. Though the regional field is always fiercely contested, the Tigers enter with confidence, having built momentum in recent tournaments and boasting a talented roster capable of competing at the highest level.
The team will rely heavily on veterans and proven contributors like Drew Doyle and Connor Gaunt, who have led the squad with consistent performances throughout the season. Doyle, in particular, has been a model of steady play, providing the type of scoring reliability that becomes crucial in postseason tournaments. Gaunt, with his powerful ball striking and mental toughness, has emerged as a team leader during key events, offering a steady presence for the younger members of the squad.
One such younger player is freshman Luke Haskew, who has quickly adjusted to the collegiate level and is expected to play a key role in the Tigers’ postseason efforts. His development over the season has been a bright spot for LSU, and his ability to handle pressure will be tested against some of the strongest programs in the country.
Coach Winstead, now in his 19th season leading the program, has emphasized preparation and focus in the lead-up to regionals. With the schedule change, that preparation was forced to accelerate, but the coaching staff made quick adjustments to ensure that players stayed on task and adjusted their routines to be sharp and ready for Sunday’s early start. Winstead’s experience navigating NCAA tournaments is an asset, and his calm demeanor provides stability to a team looking to make a deep run.
The NCAA Regionals are notorious for producing dramatic finishes and surprising upsets. With only five teams from each region moving on, there is little room for error. The stroke-play format rewards consistency, and weather delays — still a possibility depending on how storms track — can only further complicate matters for teams looking to maintain rhythm.
Despite these potential challenges, the Tigers have several advantages. They’ve faced stiff competition in the Southeastern Conference all season, and the rigor of SEC play often mirrors what teams encounter at regionals. Additionally, LSU’s familiarity with diverse course conditions and the mental discipline developed during the conference schedule will serve the Tigers well.
This year’s regional location, though not officially released in this article, is known to feature long fairways and strategically placed hazards, making course management and shot selection critical. The team’s preparation has included simulated practice rounds and strategy sessions, aimed at breaking down potential pin placements and wind variables. LSU’s coaching staff has been diligent in scouting the course, emphasizing areas where players can score — as well as areas to avoid costly mistakes.
An overlooked aspect of NCAA Regional play is the mental component. The pressure of qualifying for the national championship can impact even the most seasoned players. Winstead and his staff have placed a renewed focus on mental conditioning and course composure, with daily team meetings emphasizing resilience, adaptability, and trust in one’s routine. It’s a message that has resonated with the team, as several players have spoken about the importance of staying in the moment and controlling what they can.
Another key component for LSU’s success will be the performance of its supporting cast. Players like Garrett Barber and Cohen Trolio, who have both contributed at various points this season, will need to bring their best if the Tigers are to crack the top five at their regional site. Barber’s experience and Trolio’s creativity around the greens could prove pivotal in tight situations. Both have shown flashes of brilliance during the regular season and now have the opportunity to make a lasting impact.
The Tigers’ journey to the NCAA Regionals hasn’t been without adversity. Injuries, inconsistent stretches, and the grind of a national schedule tested the roster’s depth and resolve. But Winstead’s leadership and the team’s internal accountability helped LSU regroup at crucial junctures. A strong showing at the SEC Championship, where the Tigers showcased poise and grit, was seen by many as a turning point heading into postseason play.
The NCAA Regional format provides only limited margin for error. A single off day can derail a team’s chances. The first round is often viewed as the tone-setter, and LSU knows the importance of starting strong. Sunday’s opening round will be about more than just low scores — it’s about establishing confidence and rhythm that can carry through all three days of play.
While the goal is clear — finishing in the top five and moving on to the national championship — the path there requires a blend of execution, resilience, and a little luck. For LSU, this journey is part of a larger tradition. The Tigers have made numerous NCAA Championship appearances under Winstead and are one of the most respected programs in collegiate golf. This year’s group hopes to add to that legacy, beginning Sunday with their first competitive swing.
With the calendar shifting and uncertainty still looming around weather forecasts, the Tigers’ ability to adapt may be just as important as their golf skills. Teams that can stay nimble, keep routines intact, and embrace the challenge of an accelerated schedule will have an edge. LSU is confident it can be one of those teams.
In a postseason environment where details matter, LSU’s preparation has extended beyond the golf course. Players have emphasized rest, nutrition, and recovery, knowing that peak performance is often the result of holistic attention to their bodies and minds. The sports performance staff has worked closely with the team to ensure travel, lodging, and recovery protocols are optimized. It’s the kind of attention to detail that LSU believes can provide a slight edge when the pressure ramps up.
This weekend will mark the beginning of what the Tigers hope is a multi-week journey culminating in a trip to the NCAA Championships. The stakes are high, but so is the belief inside the locker room. For Coach Winstead, the NCAA Regional isn’t just another tournament — it’s the first step toward competing for a national title.
The condensed schedule adds urgency, but it also offers opportunity. A hot start on Sunday could put LSU in position to control its destiny early. That’s the message the coaching staff has preached: attack the course, stick to the plan, and trust each other.
When the Tigers tee off Sunday morning, they’ll be representing more than just a team. They’ll be carrying the pride of LSU, the legacy of a storied golf program, and the hopes of a postseason run that could end on college golf’s biggest stage.
