Gamecocks Move to Fourth After Second Round of The Carmel Cup

Aug. 30, 2014

Results

PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. — The 12th-ranked South Carolina men’s golf team fired an 8-under 352 in the second round of The Carmel Cup on Saturday at Pebble Beach Golf Links to climb to fourth place.

The Gamecocks will head into Sunday’s final round trailing tournament leader Georgia by four strokes with a 36-hole total of 714 (-6). The Bulldogs lead with a total of 710 (-10) after shooting a 358 (-2).

Senior Caleb Sturgeon led Carolina’s charge up the leaderboard by carding a 6-under 66. A native of Laurens, S.C., Sturgeon is tied for second individually with a total of 139 (-5).

Sophomore Ben Dietrich is tied for ninth with a total of 142 (-2) after shooting a 71 (-1) on Saturday. Junior Matt NeSmith posted a 2-under 70 and is tied for 18th with a total of 143 (-1). Junior Will Starke carded a second-straight 72 (E) and is tied for 21st with a total of 144 (E). Junior Sean Kelly turned in a 73 (+1) and is tied for 29th with a total of 147 (+3), and senior Will Murphy is tied for 38th with a total of 149 (+5) after shooting a 76 (+4) on Saturday.

TCU and Texas Tech are tied for second with a total of 711 (-9), followed by the Gamecocks and Vanderbilt (717). Vanderbilt’s Hunter Stewart holds the individual lead with a total of 137 (-7).

Round Changer
Sturgeon led the Gamecocks charge up the leaderboard with a 6-under 66, recording five birdies, an eagle and just one bogey.

Key Stat
Five of the six Gamecock golfers played the back nine at even par or better to move Carolina into the mix at the top of the leaderboard heading into Sunday’s final round.

Notables
• Sturgeon’s 66 (-6) was one stroke off his career-low of 65.
• Sturgeon is in position to earn his fifth career top-five finish.
• Dietrich will be playing for his third career top-10 finish.
• A top-20 finish would give NeSmith 17 for his career, the most on the team.

Quotable
South Carolina head coach Bill McDonald
“We played very well as a team today overall, and Caleb’s round was incredible. This has been an amazing trip so far, and we are looking forward to the final round tomorrow. We are going to need another strong round from the guys to have a chance to win”

Up Next
The Gamecocks wrap up play at The Carmel Cup on Sunday in the third round. Carolina will begin teeing off at 11:10 a.m. ET. Live scoring will be available at golfstatresults.com.

SOUTH CAROLINA RESULTST2. Caleb Sturgeon (2)    73-66=139 (-5)T9. Ben Dietrich (5)    71-71=142 (-2)T18. Matt NeSmith (3)   73-70=143 (-1)T21. Will Starke (4)     72-72=144 (E)T29. Sean Kelly (6)   74-73=147 (+3)T38. Will Murphy (1)     73-76=149 (+5)
TEAM STANDINGS1. Georgia      352-358=710 (-10)T2. TCU         361-350=711 (-9)T2. Texas Tech      355-356=711 (-9)4. South Carolina    362-352=714 (-6)5. Vanderbilt       364-353=717 (-3)6. Arkansas         361-359=720 (E)7. Oklahoma         359-363=722 (+2)8. Oklahoma State   362-373=735 (+15)