Feb. 27, 2012

WILMINGTON, N.C. — South Carolina senior Wesley Bryan fired a final-round 70 (-2) to claim medalist honors at the Seahawk Invitational on Monday at the Country Club of Landfall. As a team, the Gamecocks shot a 4-under 284 to finish in third place with a score of 875 (+11).

Bryan becomes the first Gamecock to win a regular season tournament since Paul Woodbury captured the Seminole Intercollegiate on March 14, 2010. Bryan carded three-consecutive rounds under par to win the event, finishing with a score of 209 (-7). The win is the second of his career and his fourth career top-five finish.

“I’m just really excited for Wesley more than anything,” South Carolina head coach Bill McDonald said. “He was in the zone all week and played another solid round today. He was as prepared in all phases of his game as I’ve ever seen him. Hopefully he will be able to use this as a springboard into the next tournament.”

With Bryan leading the way, Carolina turned in one of its best performances of the season. None of the Gamecocks shot worse than 74 on Monday. Freshman Sean Kelly played a key role in moving Carolina up the leaderboard with a career-low 68 (-4). Kelly’s three-round total of 219 (+3) was good enough for 12th place. Freshman Caleb Sturgeon, who played the tournament as an individual, posted a 73 (+1) to finished in a tie for seventh with a score of 215 (-1).

“Sean had a bogey-free 68, and it was scary how low that number could have been,” McDonald said. “All five guys played really solid golf, and Caleb Sturgeon had a great tournament as an individual. We haven’t had that in a while, and it was nice to move up a couple of spots. We are getting a good foundation in our lineup. Overall, I think it was a good week for us and a good start to the spring.”

Freshman Will Murphy turned in an even-par 72 to wrap up play in a tie for 21st with a three-round score of 223 (+7). Junior Dykes Harbin and sophomore Blaine Woodruff each shot a final-round 74 for the Gamecocks. Harbin finished tied for 24th with a score of 224 (+8), while Woodruff placed 42nd with a score of 231 (+15).

East Carolina won the team title with an even-par 864, followed by Georgia Tech (873), South Carolina, Chattanooga (879) and host UNC Wilmington (880).

The Gamecocks return to action on March 5-6 in the Palmetto Intercollegiate at Palmetto Golf Club in Aiken, S.C.

SOUTH CAROLINA RESULTS
1. Wesley Bryan 68-71-70=209
12. Sean Kelly 76-75-68=219
T21. Will Murphy 78-73-72=223
T24. Dykes Harbin 76-74-74=224
42. Blaine Woodruff 78-79-74=231
*T7. Caleb Sturgeon 71-71-71=215
*Played as an individual

FINAL TEAM STANDINGS
1. East Carolina 296-282-286=864 (E)
2. Wake Forest 292-292-289=873 (+9)
3. South Carolina 298-293-284=875 (+11)
4. Chattanooga 300-288-291=879 (+15)
5. UNCW 299-294-287=880 (+16)
6. Liberty 309-284-288=881 (+17)
7. Davidson 296-294-296=886 (+22)
8. Old Dominion 300-303-295=898 (+34)
9. VCU 304-305-308=917 (+53)
10. George Mason 307-304-311=922 (+58)
11. James Madison 317-306-309=932 (+68)
12. Drexel 337-318-327=982 (+118)