April 25, 2009

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The No. 11 South Carolina men’s golf team fired a 2-under-par 286 in the first round on Saturday to lead the Cavalier Classic by six shots heading into the final round of the 36-hole event at Birdwood Country Club. The Gamecocks were led by George Bryan IV’s 70 (-2) and three scores of even par on the day.

Bryan IV had a round of 34-36 to get back on track after a 27th-place finish at the SEC Championships last week. He currently stands in a five-way tie for fourth place at 2-under.

The Gamecocks had three players fire rounds of 72 (E) on Saturday. Mark Silvers III, Wesley Bryan and Patrick Rada each had rounds of even par and are tied for 14th place heading into Sunday’s final round. Fifth-year senior Patrick Cunning, playing in his first event of the season, shot a 73 (+1) and is tied for 21st place.

UNC Wilmington’s Josh Brock is the individual leader after an opening-round 67 (-5). Adam Hogue of NC State is a shot back after a 68 (-4), and Kyle Stough of host school Virginia is another stroke back in third place after a 69 (-3).

South Carolina is six strokes clear of second-place Virginia heading into the final round of play after the Cavaliers shot a 292 (+4) in the opening round. Another in-state school, Francis Marion, is two shots back of the Cavaliers after a 294 (+6).

The Gamecocks will be paired with Virginia and Francis Marion in the final round on Sunday, which gets underway for those three teams at 12:30 p.m.

SOUTH CAROLINA RESULTST4. George Bryan IV - 70 (-2)T14. Mark Silvers - 72 (E)T14. Wesley Bryan - 72 (E)T14. Patrick Rada - 72 (E)T21. Patrick Cunning 73 (+1)
TEAM STANDINGS1. South Carolina (-2)2. Virginia (+4)3. Francis Marion (+6)4. James Madison (+7)T5. Augusta State (+8)T5. Appalachian State (+8)T7. East Carolina (+9)T7. UNC Wilmington (+9)T9. Maryland (+10)T9. Radford (+10)11. Akron (+13)12. Longwood (+15)13. George Mason (+16)14. Liberty (+17)15. Seton Hall (+22)16. Villanova (+24)17. Rutgers (+25)18. Towson (+26)