Oct. 16, 2012

Complete Results

DULUTH, Ga. — South Carolina senior Dykes Harbin continued to play the best golf of his career on Tuesday as he shot a final-round 72 (+1) to win the AutoTrader.com Collegiate Classic at Berkeley Hills Country Club.

Harbin claimed a two-stroke victory over Chattanooga’s Steven Fox, Winthrop’s Kamito Hirai and Georgia Southern’s Scott Wolfes with a three-round total of 210 (-3), which ties a career low. As a team, the Gamecocks posted the sixth best score of the day with a 10-over 294 on their way to finishing in a tie for seventh place with a total of 889 (+37).

“What a great win for Dykes,” South Carolina head coach Bill McDonald said. “He just continues to improve, and I am so happy that he is seeing his hard work pay dividends.”

A native of Augusta, Ga., Harbin put himself in position to win his first career tournament on Monday by opening with a career-low 66 in the first round. He then held onto the lead with consecutive rounds of 72 (+1). Both Fox and Hirai made a charge at Harbin on Tuesday, as they each shot a 3-under 68. They both made it to 2-under late in their rounds but were unable to pull any closer, as Harbin was 1-under in his final four holes, including a birdie on the par-4 18th to seal the win.

Through three tournaments this season, Harbin has now finished first, sixth and tied for 14th and leads the team with a 71.89 stroke average.

Sophomore Caleb Sturgeon was the next highest finisher for the Gamecocks as he tied for 31st with a total of 225 (+12). Sturgeon carded a final-round 74 (+3), which included two birdies, five bogeys and 11 pars.

Sophomore Will Murphy posted the second lowest score of the day for South Carolina with a 2-over 73. His round consisted of three birdies, five bogeys and 10 pars. Murphy finished the tournament in a tie for 35th with a score of 226 (+13).

Senior Dean Hester tied for 50th with a total of 229 (+16) after shooting a final-round 75 (+4), while freshman Matt NeSmith shot a 78 (+7) to finished tied for 67th with a score of 233 (+20).

Georgia Southern won the team title with rounds of 283-286-290=859 (+7). Host Georgia State finished second with a score of 866 (+14), followed by Mercer (874), Chattanooga (881) and Winthrop (885).

The Gamecocks will wrap up their fall season on Oct. 28-30 in the Wendy’s Kiawah Classic. The 54-hole event will be held at Turtle Point Golf Club in Kiawah Island, S.C.

SOUTH CAROLINA RESULTS1. Dykes Harbin (1)  66-72-72=210 (-3)T31. Caleb Sturgeon (3) 73-78-74=225 (+12)T35. Will Murphy (5)  78-75-73=226 (+13)T50. Dean Hester (4)  78-76-75=229 (+16)T67. Matt NeSmith (2)    77-78-78=233 (+20)
FINAL TEAM STANDINGS1. Georgia Southern         283-286-290=859 (+7)2. Georgia State        282-299-285=866 (+14)3. Mercer           292-293-289=874 (+22)4. 49 Chattanooga       292-298-291=881 (+29)5. Winthrop             294-293-298=885 (+33)6. Georgia          291-303-294=888 (+36)T7. South Carolina       294-301-294=889 (+37)T7. Kennesaw State      299-296-294=889 (+37)9. UNCG             295-297-305=897 (+45)T10. S. Carolina-Aiken      304-312-290=906 (+54)T10. Furman             303-306-297=906 (+54)12. VCU             300-307-303=910 (+58)13. Towson          302-304-309=915 (+63)14. Jacksonville        304-315-300=919 (+67)15. Wisconsin           308-311-308=927 (+75)16. Old Dominion        318-312-298=928 (+76)