March 30, 2015

Results

AWENDAW, S.C. — Led by a 4-under 68 from junior Matt NeSmith, the fifth-ranked South Carolina men’s golf team posted a second-round 287 (-1) on Monday at Bulls Bay Golf Club to take the lead at the Hootie at Bulls Bay Intercollegiate.

The Gamecocks battled through strong wind gusts all day long to build a four-stroke advantage over Duke heading into the final round with a total of 567 (-9). The Blue Devils are in second with a total of 571 (-5), followed by New Mexico (572), Auburn (572) and GRU Augusta (576). If the Gamecocks hold on to win on Tuesday, it would be Carolina’s fifth tournament victory this season, which would be a school record.

NeSmith has an excellent shot at medalist honors after carding his third-straight round in the 60s dating back to last week’s Valspar Collegiate Invitational. A native of North Augusta, S.C., NeSmith is in a tie for second and trails Coastal Carolina’s Andrew Dorn by a stroke with a total of 137 (-7). Dorn holds the 36-hole lead with a total of 136 (-8). After recording his only bogey on the day on No. 5, NeSmith tallied birdies on four of his next six holes and played the final 13 holes at 5-under.

Senior Caleb Sturgeon moved into position to earn his third top-10 finish of the season as he turned in a 1-under 71 to finish the day in a tie for ninth with a total of 142 (-2). He recorded four birdies and three bogeys on the afternoon.

Junior Will Starke and senior Will Murphy wrapped up the round in a tie for 24th with a total of 145 (+1). Starke shot a 76 (+4), while Murphy contributed an even-par 72 with only one bogey.

Sophomore Ben Dietrich is tied for 44th with a total of 148 (+4) after shooting a 77 (+5) on Monday.

Round Changer
NeSmith bounced back from a bogey on the par-4 fifth to record four birdies in his next six holes on his way to shooting a 4-under 68.

Notable
• A win on Tuesday would be Carolina’s fifth tournament title this season, which would be a school record.
• A win would also be the Gamecocks’ eighth-straight top-five finish, which would be the longest streak of top-five finishes in school history.
• This marks the third time this season the Gamecocks have held the 36-hole lead. Carolina won the previous two times, claiming the Bayou City Collegiate Championship and Palmetto Intercollegiate titles.
• Carolina has shot under par as a team in 12 of its last 13 rounds.
• The Gamecocks are second in the field in par-5 scoring with an average of 4.80 (-10).
• NeSmith has carded three-straight rounds in the 60s dating back to last week’s Valspar Collegiate Invitational.
• NeSmith ranks second in the field in birdies with 10.
• Dietrich is tied for second on the week in pars with 27.

Quotable
South Carolina head coach Bill McDonald
“Bulls Bay was all you wanted today, and I’m proud of the round we pieced together. We had to have 25-30 mile per hour wind gusts at times and we just fought our way through it. Matt NeSmith’s round was something special. He is really playing some great golf this year. Being in contention is always good for our guys, and we are looking forward to the final round tomorrow.”

Up Next
The Gamecocks will tee off in the final round on Tuesday beginning at 9:40 a.m. and will be paired with Duke and New Mexico. Live scoring will be available at golfstatresults.com.