Feb. 11, 2013

Results

POOLER, Ga. — South Carolina sophomore men’s golfer Will Murphy posted a first-round 74 (+2) and a career-low 66 (-6) in the second round on Monday in the Savannah Quarters Individual at Savannah Quarters Country Club.

Murphy, who is one of four Gamecocks competing at the individual event, is tied for third place, just four shots off the lead. He played near flawless golf down the stretch, going 9-under in his final 22 holes. Sophomore Sean Kelly is not far behind Murphy as he carded rounds of 73-71=144 (E) to finish the day in a tie for sixth place.

On the afternoon, the four South Carolina golfers combined to make 28 birdies in the two rounds. The Gamecock coaching staff is using the tournament as a qualifier for the fifth spot in the lineup for the upcoming Bayou City Collegiate Championships in Houston, Texas (Feb. 22-24).

“We had a high number of double bogeys early on, and that’s just indicative of the first day of competition of the spring,” South Carolina associate head coach Don Hill said. “This golf tournament is a proving ground for us to give guys great competition in real time. It does nothing but help us to build depth as we head further into the spring.

“Will Murphy playing his final 22 holes at 9-under really sparked him, and Sean Kelly played consistent golf all the way through. I’m just really proud of all of the guys. They really fought their guts out. I’m expecting good things tomorrow. Hopefully, Will can make a run at the title, and I expect Sean to come out and finish somewhere in the top five.”

Junior Caulder Moore and senior Dean Hester are also in the mix for a top-10 finish as they are in a tie for 11th with a total of 148 (+4). Moore turned in rounds of 73 (+1) and 75 (+3), and Hester shot rounds of 75 (+3) and 73 (+1).

Florida State’s Joaquin Lolas leads the tournament by two strokes after posting consecutive rounds of 68 (-4). Alabama’s Trey Mullinax is in second with a total of 138 (-6).

Final-round play is set to begin at 8 a.m. on Tuesday. Live scoring will not be available.

SOUTH CAROLINA RESULTST3. Will Murphy      74-66=140 (-4)T6. Sean Kelly        73-71=144 (E)T11. Dean Hester 75-73=148 (+4)T11. Caulder Moore 73-75=148 (+4)