Feb. 26, 2009

Today marks the fourth in a series of profiles on the University of South Carolina men’s and women’s golf teams. Our featured golfer for this week is freshman Wesley Bryan.

Bryan has already made his mark as a Gamecock, sharing the tournament title at the Rees Jones Intercollegiate in November. The 18-year-old from Chapin, S.C., is second on the team with a 73.58 stroke average, and had his best rounds as a collegian in the second and third rounds of the Mason Rudolph Invitational in early October. In that tournament, a pair of 69s helped lead the Gamecocks to their first of two tournament titles in the fall.

A product of Dutch Fork High School, Bryan is the younger brother of Gamecock junior George Bryan IV. While at Dutch Fork, he helped his team to a state title in 2008 and a runner-up finish in 2007. He also earned individual state medalist honors both years. Outside of high school competition, he won the South Carolina State Junior in 2007, breaking the tournament scoring record by seven shots. Last year, he advanced to the match play round of the U.S. Amateur as the No. 2 seed, and advanced to the round of 16 at last year’s U.S. Amateur Public Links. In qualifying for the U.S. Amateur, he set the course record at the Standard Club in Duluth, Ga., with a 63.

What has been your proudest moment as a Gamecock?
Winning the Rees Jones Intercollegiate as a team and also winning as an individual.

What convinced you to come to school at USC in the first place?
Bill McDonald was a huge influence but also the fact that my brother was already here.

What are you most looking forward to in your USC career?
Winning championships

What are you most excited about regarding the upcoming spring season?
Winning championships

Describe your “perfect” day (whether it involves golf or not).
Waking up at 5 and having a KT workout, tee it up when the sun comes up (preferably at Augusta National), play 18 holes, have a lunch break, play 18 more holes, have dinner, then go to sleep around 8 o’clock.

Favorite course you’ve ever played? (Why?)
Augusta National because it is where the Masters is played.

Most memorable round of golf (USC or otherwise)?
My most memorable round at USC would have to be my very first. I found myself 5 over with 7 holes to play and was able to make 5 birdies coming to the house to shoot even par.

To which pro golfer would you compare your game?
Wes Short Jr.

Who is your favorite golfer to watch compete?
Tiger Woods

What is your best shot/skill?
Short game