Sept. 12, 2015

Results

ROCKY FACE, Ga. — For the second-straight year, the South Carolina men’s golf team will head into the final round of the Carpet Capital Collegiate within striking distance of the leader.

The Gamecocks posted a second-round 295 (+7) on Saturday at The Farm Golf Club and are six shots off the lead with a 36-hole total of 584 (+8). Alabama holds the lead with a total of 578 (+2) after shooting a 289 for the second-straight day. Carolina entered last year’s final round trailing by three shots and came back to win the tournament title by a stroke.

Auburn is in second with a total of 581 (+5). Georgia Tech is third with a total of 582 (+6), while Clemson is in fourth with a total of 583 (+7).

Senior Matt NeSmith led the way on Saturday as he carded a 1-under 71 to finish the round in a tie for fifth with a total of 143 (-1). A native of North Augusta, S.C., NeSmith was 1-over through 15 holes but birdied No. 16 and No. 18 to get into the clubhouse under par.

Freshman Scott Stevens turned in another solid round, shooting a 74 to finish the afternoon in a tie for 11th with a total of 145 (+1). He recorded his only birdie of the round on No. 16 and had three bogeys on the scorecard.

Seniors Sean Kelly and Will Starke each recorded a 75 on Saturday. Kelly is tied for 22nd with a total of 149 (+5), while Starke is tied for 60th with a total of 158 (+14). Sophomore Keenan Huskey is in a tie for 40th with a total of 151 (+7) after shooting a 79.

Freshman Ryan Stachler, who is playing as an individual, is tied for 31st with a total of 150 (+6) after carding a 76.

Clemson’s Stephen Behr sits atop the individual leaderboard with a total of 139 (-5).

Round Changer
NeSmith was one of only 11 golfers to record a round under par on Saturday. He was able to get under par with birdies on holes 16 and 18 to close out his round.

Notable
• South Carolina leads the tournament in par-4 scoring with an average of 4.14 (+14).
• Scoring conditions have been tough, as the average score for the tournament is 76.06.
• NeSmith’s 71 was one of only 11 rounds under par on Saturday.

Up Next
The Gamecocks will tee off in the final round of the Carpet Capital Collegiate on Sunday beginning at 8:45 a.m. and will be paired with Clemson and LSU. Live scoring will be available at golfstatresults.com.