Men's Golf . March 16, 2014

Gamecocks Hold 19-Shot Lead at Seahawk Intercollegiate

March 16, 2014

WILMINGTON, N.C. — The South Carolina men’s golf team took a commanding lead at the Seahawk Intercollegiate on Sunday after shooting a tournament-record 273 (-15) in the first round and a 287 (-1) in rainy and windy conditions in the second round at the Country Club of Landfall’s Nicklaus Course.

The Gamecocks, whose two-round score of 560 is a tournament record, will head into Monday’s final round with a 19-shot lead over East Tennessee State. The Buccaneers are in second with a total of 579 (+3). Carolina’s opening-round 273 is tied for the eighth lowest round in school history. South Carolina is looking to become the first Gamecock team since 2008-09 to win three tournaments in one season.

“We played really well this morning with everyone under par, and Will Starke’s 64 was a great round,” South Carolina head coach Bill McDonald said. “We had brutal conditions in the afternoon round with wind and rain. Matt NeSmith’s 69 was one of the best rounds I’ve seen him play. I’m very proud of how the team fought throughout the day, and we are looking forward to the final round.”

All five golfers in the South Carolina lineup finished the day in the top 20 led by Starke, who had a career day on his way to taking the 36-hole lead. A native of Chapin, S.C., Starke fired a career-low 64 (-8) in the first round and a 1-over 73 in the second. His 36-hole total of 137 (-7) is a tournament record, while his first-round score of 64 is tied for the third lowest round in school history. Starke holds a one-shot lead over Davidson’s Sam Echikson, who finished with a two-round total of 138 (-6).

NeSmith was just as impressive as he carded rounds of 70 (-2) and 69 (-3) to finish the day in third place with a total of 139 (-5). His 69 was tied for the lowest second-round score of the afternoon.

Junior Will Murphy wrapped up the afternoon in fourth place with a total of 140 (-4) after posting rounds of 69 (-3) and 71 (-1).

Freshman Ben Dietrich is tied for 10 with a total of 144 (E). Dietrich turned in rounds of 70 (-2) and 74 (+2). Junior Caleb Sturgeon carded rounds of 70 (-2) and 76 (+4) to finish in a tie for 18th with a total of 146 (+2).

Playing as an individual, junior Blaine Woodruff is in a tie for 45th with a total of 153 (+9).

Ohio State and Louisville are tied for third with a total of 581 (+5), while Davidson rounds out the top five with a total of 586 (+10).

The Gamecocks will tee off in the third round on Monday beginning at 9:12 a.m. off the first tee. Carolina will be paired with East Tennessee State and Louisville. Live scoring will not be available.

SOUTH CAROLINA RESULTS1. Will Starke (1)       64-73=137 (-7)3. Matt NeSmith (2)         70-69=139 (-5)4. Will Murphy (4)       69-71=140 (-4)T10. Ben Dietrich (5)       70-74=144 (E)T18. Caleb Sturgeon (3)   70-76=146 (+2)*T45. Blaine Woodruff        71-82=153 (+9)
*Playing as an individual
TEAM STANDINGS1. South Carolina       273-287=560 (-16)2. ETSU             279-300=579 (+3)T3. Ohio State          282-299=581 (+5)T3. Louisville          278-303=581 (+5)5. Davidson College         278-308=586 (+10)6. Campbell             286-301=587 (+11)7. UNCW             287-309=596 (+20)8. Wisconsin            292-305=597 (+21)9. Elon             300-299=599 (+23)10. Army            293-314=607 (+31)11. East Carolina       298-312=610 (+34)12. Navy            307-315=622 (+46)13. Delaware            308-327=635 (+59)