Oct. 5, 2010

By Wes Todd
Assistant Media Relations Director

DAUFUSKIE ISLAND, S.C. – South Carolina sophomore Dykes Harbin fought a tough golf course and high winds on Tuesday, posting a final-round 77 (+5) to move up two spots and earn a ninth-place finish at the Rees Jones Intercollegiate.

Harbin finished the week at 14-over-par – all but one player in the field finished at least 4-over – after rounds of 76-77-77=230. In ninth place after the first 18 holes Monday, he dropped two posts to a tie for 11th following the day’s second round. But as most players’ scores went up, Harbin stayed consistent and earned his third top-10 in an individual event.

Fellow sophomore Michael Raines earned a tie for 14th place in his Gamecock debut, also carding a final-round 77 to move up six spots in the final ranking. Raines had rounds of 81-74-77=232 (+16) and improved from his 20th-place tie after two rounds on Monday.

Chase Liebler shot his second straight 82 and finished in a tie for 39th place, and Clint Tolleson signed for a 78 to move up to a tie for 39th.

Kennesaw State’s Matt Nagy was the individual medalist as the only player in the field at even par for the week. Liberty’s Robert Karlsson and Wofford’s Chandler Brazeal tied for second place at 4-over. No player in the field broke par in Tuesday’s closing round as the course played very tough with winds gusting to near 20 mph.

The Gamecocks did not compete as a team in the event, which saw Liberty and Kennesaw State tie for first place at 902 (+38). South Carolina was the two-time defending champion but elected to send only individuals for this year’s tournament.

Carolina will return to team competition in three weeks as the Gamecocks travel to Alpharetta, Ga., for the U.S. Collegiate Championship. The tournament runs Oct. 24-26 at The Golf Club of Georgia.

SOUTH CAROLINA RESULTS
(All competed as individuals)
9. Dykes Harbin – 76-77-77=230 (+14)
T14. Michael Raines – 81-74-77=232 (+16)
T35. Chase Liebler – 78-82-82=242 (+26)
T39. Clint Tolleson – 87-77-78=242 (+26)