Sept. 11, 2015

Results

ROCKY FACE, Ga. — The sixth-ranked South Carolina men’s golf team opened the season with a strong first round on Friday at the Carpet Capital Collegiate, shooting 1-over 289 at The Farm Golf Club to finish the day in a tie for second place.

The Gamecocks are tied with Alabama and will enter the second round three shots back of tournament leader Georgia Tech. The Yellow Jackets posted a 286 (-2) on Friday.

Freshman Scott Stevens led Carolina as he carded a 1-under 71 to finish the round in a tie for seventh. Making his Gamecock debut, Stevens got hot early, recording three-straight birdies on holes four, five and six, but he dropped back to 1-under for the round after making just one more birdie and three bogeys the rest of the way.

Senior Matt NeSmith and sophomore Keenan Huskey finished the day in a tie for 12th after each shooting an even-par 72. Senior Sean Kelly turned in a 74 to end the round in a tie for 22nd, while senior Will Starke is tied for 74th after shooting an 83.

Playing as an individual, freshman Ryan Stachler carded a 74 to get into the clubhouse in a tie for 22nd.

LSU is in fourth after shooting a 291 (+3), followed by Auburn (293), Clemson (296), Ole Miss (296), South Florida (297), Kennesaw State (299) and North Carolina (299). Georgia Tech’s Jacob Joiner holds the individual lead after firing a 66 on Friday.

Round Changer
Stevens was one of only 11 golfers under par on Friday as he made his Gamecock debut with a 1-under 71, recording four birdies and three bogeys.

Notable
• Only 11 golfers finished the round under par, including Carolina’s Stevens (71).
• The Gamecocks are tied for second in the field in par-3 (+3) and par-4 (+10) scoring.
• Carolina is tied for the tournament lead in birdies with 15.

Quotable
South Carolina head coach Bill McDonald
“I’m really proud of how we played today. The golf course was playing extremely difficult, and our guys battled hard all day. Freshman Scott Stevens played well for his first round in college golf, and Keenan Huskey looked good too. The next two days will be interesting, but we have to put ourselves in position to contend.”

Tweet of the Round

#Gamecocks @s_kelly59 wearing his FDNY cap today to honor the heroes & victims of 9/11 & his dad’s service to NYC pic.twitter.com/O9z79IqqrQ

— Gamecock M. Golf (@GamecockMGolf) September 11, 2015

Up Next
The Gamecocks will tee off in the second round on Saturday beginning at 10 a.m. and will be paired with Georgia Tech and Alabama. Live scoring will be available at golfstatresults.com.