Men's Golf . September 4, 2023

Gamecocks Lead in Michigan After 18 Holes

Rey Del Rio/South Carolina Athletics

Zach Adams paced Carolina with an opening round 69 (-2), which has him two shots off the lead at American Dunes

GRAND HAVEN, Mich. – South Carolina leads by a shot at the Folds of Honor Collegiate thanks to a strong finish in round one on Monday. The Gamecocks’ four counting scores were a combined 5-under the last two holes with four birdies and an eagle.

Carolina shot 282 (-2) its opening 18 holes to start the year on the par-71 layout at American Dunes to lead Arizona by one. Sophomore Zach Adams led the way with a 2-under 69 thanks to back-to-back birdies at holes 17 and 18. He led the team with four red numbers on his scorecard in today’s Labor Day round. Adams, a Charleston, S.C. native, is T-5^th and just two shots off the lead.

Junior Nathan Franks also got into the clubhouse under par with an opening round 70 (-1) thanks to a birdie at the par-5 18^th. He made the turn at even after a pair of birdies and bogeys on the front nine. The Roebuck, S.C. native made eight straight pars on the back nine before sinking his four at the par-5 18^th.

Senior Rafe Reynolds shot 71 (E). He made a trio of birdies on the front nine today. Reynolds just lipped out a birdie attempt on 18 to close on a high note. Transfer Frankie Harris was the final counting score with a 1-over 72 in his Gamecock debut. He got hot down the stretch. Harris was 5-over after a double bogey at the par-5 13^th before back-to-back birdies the next two holes and an eagle on 18. He sunk a short putt there for his three after stuffing it tight from 200-yards away.

Freshman Bo Carpenter also made his Gamecock debut today. He shot 74 (+3) and finished strong with a closing birdie at 18. Just 14 players in the 90-man field fired a red number in the opening round today. Nick Matthews of NC State leads by a shot at 4-under. He was the only player in the field that was bogey free the opening 18 holes.

“It was a really solid team effort today from the guys,” said head coach Bill McDonald. “The winds made it difficult to be decisive, and we made our share of mistakes. So proud of Frankie (Harris) and his finish after being five over through 13 holes. It could be a fun year if our team can fight like they did today.”

Carolina will again be paired with Arizona and Army in round two. Carpenter will be the first player off for the Gamecocks at 12:50 p.m. (ET) on hole ten. Golf Channel will also have live TV coverage again from 4-7 p.m. (ET) across all platforms. Live scoring will be available via Golfstat.

2023 Folds of Honor Challenge Team Leaderboard

1. South Carolina – 282 (-2)

2. Arizona – 283 (-1)

3. Indiana – 284 (E)

4. Memphis – 286 (+2)

5. Notre Dame – 287 (+3)

6. Arkansas – 289 (+5)

T7. NC State – 290 (+6)

T7. Kentucky – 290 (+6)

T7. Oregon State – 290 (+6)

T10. Florida State – 291 (+7)

T10. Michigan State – 291 (+7)