May 19, 2012

Final Results

NORMAN, Okla. — The South Carolina men’s golf team posted a final-round 299 (+11) on Saturday to finish in eighth place at the NCAA Southwest Regional at the Jimmie Austin OU Golf Club.

The Gamecocks wrapped up the tournament with a three-round total of 895 (+31). With winds gusting up to 30 mph for the second straight day, Carolina recorded the fifth lowest round of the day. Scores were high for the entire field, as no teams were under par for the first time all week.

“I thought the guys played really well today in extremely windy and tough conditions,” South Carolina head coach Bill McDonald said. “I think to have the fifth lowest round on the final day shows how much pride they have. I’m really proud of how they fought the whole week.”

Senior Wesley Bryan wrapped up his stellar Gamecock career with his 19th top-20 finish in four years. The Chapin, S.C., native shot a 77 (+5) to finish in a tie for 18th with a total of 221 (+5). Bryan’s score took his career average to 73.23, which ranks sixth all-time at Carolina.

Freshman Caleb Sturgeon and junior Dykes Harbin carded the low rounds for the Gamecocks as they each shot a 2-over 74. Sturgeon, who finished tied for 35th with a score of 226 (+10), produced the highlight of his round when he chipped in for eagle on the 583-yard par-5 fifth hole. He finished the day with an eagle, two birdies, four bogeys, a double bogey and 10 pars. Harbin finished in a tie for 52nd with a score of 230 (+14) after recording two birdies, four bogeys and 12 pars.

Freshmen Sean Kelly and Will Murphy carded rounds of 75 (+3) and 76 (+4), respectively, to close out the week in a tie for 48th with a total of 229 (+13). Kelly produced two birdies, five bogeys and 11 pars. Murphy sank a 25-foot eagle putt on the par-5 18th and added one birdie, three bogeys, two double bogeys and 11 pars.

Washington held off a late charge by top-ranked Texas to win the title with a score of 860 (-4). The Longhorns finished second with a total of 864 (E), while Florida State (871), Illinois (871) and Oklahoma (874) rounded out the top five to advance to the NCAA Championship. Washington also had the top individual, as Chris Williams posted a 4-under 68 to claim medalist honors with a score of 209 (-7). St. Mary’s Jonathan De Los Reye defeated San Diego’s Grant Forrest on the first hole of a playoff to earn the individual bid to the NCAA Championship

SOUTH CAROLINA RESULTS
T18. Wesley Bryan 69-75-77=221 (+5)
T35. Caleb Sturgeon 80-72-74=226 (+10)
T48. Will Murphy 79-74-76=229 (+13)
T48. Sean Kelly 73-81-75=229 (+13)
T52. Dykes Harbin 73-83-74=230 (+14)

FINAL TEAM STANDINGS
1. Washington 286-281-293=860 (-4)
2. Texas 279-293-292=864 (E)
T3. Florida State 279-292-300=871 (+7)
T3. Illinois 284-291-296=871 (+7)
5. Oklahoma 287-292-295=874 (+10)
6. Georgia Tech 290-286-307=883 (+19)
7. St. Mary’s (CA) 286-302-304=892 (+28)
8. South Carolina 294-302-299=895 (+31)
T9. Arizona 289-311-302=902 (+38)
T9. San Diego 303-299-300=902 (+38)
11. Sacramento State 292-307-304=903 (+39)
12. IUPUI 297-307-311=915 (+51)
13. Middle Tennessee St. 304-316-302=922 (+58)
14. Loyola Chicago 307-314-322=943 (+79)