March 26, 2012

AWENDAW, S.C. — The South Carolina men’s golf team posted a second-round 290 (+2) on Monday at the Hootie at Bulls Bay Intercollegiate at Bulls Bay Golf Club.

The Gamecocks are in ninth place heading into the final round with a two-day total of 581 (+5). Carolina had success early in the round, as three Gamecocks were under par at the turn. However, the back nine proved to be a struggle for the second straight day.

“It was a frustrating day,” South Carolina head coach Bill McDonald said. “We got off to a strong start but didn’t keep it together again in the middle of the round. We need to toughen up a bit. The final round will be a gut check for our team.”

Senior Wesley Bryan and freshman Caleb Sturgeon each carded an even-par 72 to lead the way for Carolina. Bryan moved to 1-under after back-to-back birdies on the 15th and 16th holes but he wrapped up his round with a bogey on No. 18 to fall back to even. Bryan is in tie for 25th with a two-round score of 145 (+1). Sturgeon closed out his round with a birdie, a bogey and a par to head into the clubhouse at even and in a tie for 15th with a score of 143 (-1).

Junior Dykes Harbin and sophomore Blaine Woodruff each turned in a 1-over 73 on the day. Harbin played well early on as he was 2-under through 11 holes. However, he bogeyed three out of his last seven holes to finish the round at 1-over. Harbin is tied for 36th with a score of 147 (+3). Woodruff, who is tied for 31st with a score of 146 (+2), made the turn at 1-under after eight pars and one birdie on the front nine. He recorded seven more pars and two bogeys on the back nine to close out the day at 1-over.

Freshman Will Murphy shot a 3-over 75 after recording 11 pars, three birdies, two bogeys and two double bogeys. Murphy is in a tie for 58th with a score of 151 (+7).

Second-ranked Auburn shot a 13-under 275 to take the tournament lead with a score of 560 (-16). Kentucky and Texas A&M are tied for second with a score of 567 (-9), followed North Carolina State (570) and North Carolina (571). Texas A&M’s Cameron Patrick posted a 5-under 67 to move into the individual lead with a two-round score of 137 (-7).

South Carolina is scheduled to begin the final round on hole No. 1 at 8 a.m. on Tuesday. The Gamecocks are paired with Mississippi and Virginia. Live scoring will be available at golfstatresults.com.

SOUTH CAROLINA RESULTS
T15. Caleb Sturgeon 71-72=143
T25. Wesley Bryan 73-72=145
T31. Blaine Woodruff 73-73=146
T36. Dykes Harbin 74-73=147
T58. Will Murphy 76-75=151

TEAM STANDINGS
1. Auburn 285-275=560
T2. Kentucky 285-282=567
T2. Texas A&M 289-278=567
4. North Carolina State 291-279=570
5. North Carolina 290-281=571
6. LSU 286-287=573
7. Mississippi 292-282=574
8. Virginia 287-289=576
9. South Carolina 291-290=581
10. Augusta State 294-294=588
T11. Maryland 293-299=592
T11. Wofford College 294-298=592
13. College of Charleston 295-300=595
14. Wake Forest 298-299=597
15. Wisconsin 301-298=599