March 14, 2015

Results

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — The eighth-ranked South Carolina men’s golf team moved into contention at the Seminole Intercollegiate on Saturday after shooting a second-round 281 (-7) at Southwood Golf Club.

The Gamecocks will head into Sunday’s final round in second place with a total of 566 (-10) and trail East Tennessee State by just two strokes. The Buccaneers shot a 288 and sit in first place with a total of 564 (-12). Carolina will play for its fourth straight tournament title on Sunday and fifth this season, which would be a school record.

Juniors Sean Kelly and Will Starke led the charge up the leaderboard for the Gamecocks. Kelly matched his career low, firing a 5-under 67 to move into a tie for seventh with a total of 139 (-5). He recorded just one bogey on the day and tallied an eagle and four birdies.

Starke continued his impressive play as he carded a 3-under 69, his seventh straight round in the 60s. He finished the day with just one bogey, an eagle and two birdies. A native of Chapin, S.C., Starke is in second place with a total of 137 (-7) and trails East Tennessee State’s Gudmundur Kristjansson, who has the 36-hole lead with a total of 130 (-14).

Junior Matt NeSmith turned in his second-straight 72 (E) and is tied for 27th with a total of 144 (E).

Senior Will Murphy carded a 73 (+1) for the second day in a row. Murphy finished the round in a tie for 43rd with a total of 146 (+2).

Rounding out the lineup, senior Caleb Sturgeon shot a 75 (+3) and is tied for 62nd with a total of 150 (+6).

Including the Gamecocks, five teams are within five shots of the lead. Seventh-ranked Georgia Tech is in third place with a total of 566 (-10), followed by Louisville (568), Virginia (568) and Mercer (569).

Round Changer
Kelly and Starke combined to shoot 8-under on the day, posting a 67 and 69, respectively. Both golfers opened the round with an eagle on the par-5 first hole and recorded only one bogey on the afternoon.

Notable
• A win on Sunday would be the Gamecocks fourth straight tournament title and fifth this season, which would be a school record.
• The Gamecocks have shot under par in six straight rounds, including a 281 (-7) on Saturday.
• Carolina leads the field in par-3 scoring with an average of 3.05 (+2).
• The Gamecocks are second in par-5 scoring with an average of 4.65 (-14).
• Kelly matched his career low, shooting a 5-under 67 in the second round.
• Starke’s 69 is his seventh straight round in the 60s. He has shot in the 60s in 14 of his last 16 rounds.

Quotable
South Carolina head coach Bill McDonald
“It was a good day for us and it was nice to move up the leaderboard. Sean had a great round, and overall I thought the entire team played with a lot more energy. Tomorrow should be exciting with so many good teams in contention for the title.”

Up Next
The Gamecocks will tee off in the final round on Sunday beginning at 9:40 a.m. and will be paired with East Tennessee State and Georgia Tech. Live scoring will be available at golfstatresults.com.