Sept. 27, 2007

COLUMBIA – South Carolina men’s golf team ranks second in the nation this week in the Golfweek/Sagarin Performance Index. Sophomore George Bryan IV is ranked second in the individual standings as well. A mathematical formula that links teams and players based on common opponents based on strength of schedule and won-lost-tied record, the Performance Index gives the most objective view of the teams and individuals playing well over a set period of time.

In their season-opening tournament, the Gamecocks tied Alabama for first, yielding the team title in a playoff. With 18 teams in the field, the Gamecocks’ record stands at 16-0-1. South Carolina benefited greatly from the strength of the field it dominated as 11 other teams at the Carpet Capital Collegiate were ranked in the to 25. The Gamecocks are behind only Charlotte in this week’s ratings.

Individually, Bryan’s rating comes from his third-place finish in the Carpet Capital event where there were 11 other golfers in the field ranked in the nation’s top 25. Bryan is second behind that tournament’s champion Chesson Hadley of Georgia Tech. Junior Allen Koon is rated 27th in the nation after he finished the event tied for 18th.

The Gamecocks are back in action next week at The Brickyard Collegiate in Macon, Ga. The three-day event begins on Sun., Oct. 7, at the Brickyard Golf Club.