Feb. 26, 2012

WILMINGTON, N.C. —South Carolina senior Wesley Bryan posted rounds of 68 (-4) and 71 (-1) on Sunday to lead the Gamecocks in the first two rounds of the Seahawk Invitational at the Country Club of Landfall. Bryan is in the lead with a score of 139 (-5) heading into Monday’s final round.

As a team, the Gamecocks shot rounds of 298 (+10) and 293 (+5) to finish the day in fifth place with a score of 591 (+15).

“The conditions in the morning were tough, with temperatures in the mid 40s and high winds,” South Carolina head coach Bill McDonald said. “The guys were fighting pretty hard. I saw some things to be excited about. We need to go out there tomorrow and shoot a good round.”

Bryan holds a two-shot lead over Davidson’s Richard Fountain and Wake Forest’s Lee Bedford. He has had plenty of success at the Seahawk Invitational during his career, finishing tied for third at the event last season and tying for sixth in 2010. His opening-round 68 was his lowest round of the season, and his two rounds under par on the day move his career total of rounds at par or better to 40.

“You could tell in his practice round that he was dialing things in,” McDonald said of Bryan. “He looked great starting out today. It’s really good to see, and I’m proud of him.”

Bryan wasn’t the only Gamecock to have a big day, as freshman Caleb Sturgeon carded a pair of 1-under 71s, which is a career low. Sturgeon, who is playing as an individual, moved into a tie for fourth with a two-round score of 142 (-2).

“Caleb played really well all day,” McDonald said. “To be 2-under in those conditions as a freshman is great.”

Junior Dykes Harbin is tied for 23rd with a score of 150 (+6). Harbin birdied his final three holes in the morning to wrap up the first round with a 76 (+4). He closed out his day with a 2-over 74.

Freshmen Sean Kelly and Will Murphy are in a tie for 28th with a two-round score of 151 (+7). Kelly turned in rounds of 76 (+4) and 75 (+3), while Murphy shot 78 (+6) and 73 (+1).

Sophomore Blaine Woodruff finished the day tied for 47th after carding rounds of 78 (+6) and 79 (+7).

South Carolina is 13 strokes back of tournament leader East Carolina. The Pirates posted a two-round total of 578 (+2). Wake Forest is in second with a score of 584 (+8), followed by Chattanooga (588) and Davidson (590).

The Gamecocks tee off in the final round beginning at 9 a.m. on Monday. Carolina is paired with Davidson and Liberty.

SOUTH CAROLINA RESULTS
1. Wesley Bryan 68-71=139
T23. Dykes Harbin 76-74=150
T28. Sean Kelly 76-75=151
T28. Will Murphy 78-73=151
T47. Blaine Woodruff 78-79=157
*T4. Caleb Sturgeon 71-71=142
*Playing as an individual

TEAM STANDINGS
1. East Carolina 296-282=578 (+2)
2. Wake Forest 292-292=584 (+8)
3. Chattanooga 300-288=588 (+12)
4. Davidson College 296-294=590 (+14)
5. South Carolina 298-293=591 (+15)
T6. Liberty 309-284=593 (+17)
T6. UNCW 299-294=593 (+17)
8. Old Dominion 300-303=603 (+27)
9. VCU 304-305=609 (+33)
10. George Mason 307-304=611 (+35)
11. James Madison 317-306=623 (+47)
12. Drexel 337-318=655 (+79)