Gamecocks Take Second at Everett Buick GMC Classic
South Carolina Athletics
Sophomore transfer Brock Blais finished T-8th to lead the team, recording his first career top-10 in Garnet and Black
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – South Carolina finished second at the Everett Buick GMC Classic on Tuesday. The Gamecocks shot 3-under in the final round today and posted a 54-hole total of 852 (-12).
Host Little Rock wont the event thanks to a 10-under final round and a 54-hole total of 838 (-26) at Chenal Country Club. The Gamecocks pulled within seven of the Trojans with the conclusion of the second round this morning thanks to a 275 (-13) but were unable to make up any ground the final 18 holes of play.
Teams played 36 holes yesterday with play suspended late in round two last night due to darkness.
Sophomore transfer Brock Blais led the way this week with a 6-under total of 210 (-6) that pitted him T-8th after scores of 71-68-71. He made 14 birdies this week, T-9th in the 90-man field. The top-10 is the first for Blais in Garnet and Black.
Redshirt sophomore Frankie Harris shot 214 (-2) and finished T-14th, his ninth top-20 finish in his 14 career starts at South Carolina dating back to last season.
Junior Zach Adams notched another top-20 finish with a 54-hole total of 216 (E) thanks to scores of 74-70-72. The Charleston, S.C., native has had a nice start to the season with three consecutive top-20 finishes. He’s been consistent with a scoring average of 70.33.
Senior All-American Nathan Franks and true freshman Marek Fleming each finished T-27th with 54-hole totals of 218 (+2). Franks shot 68 (-4) in round two and Fleming posted a red number in the final round today with a 70 (-2) to rise up the leaderboard in his first career start in the lineup. He led the team this week with 15 birdies. Redshirt freshman Ismael Encinas shot 226 (+10) and finished T-57th competing as an individual this week.
South Carolina led the 16-team field this week with 62 birdies.
The team will remain on the road for its final fall event of the season at the Fallen Oak Invitational (Oct. 19-21) which starts Saturday at Fallen Oak Golf Course in Saucier, Miss. It will be a strong field with several other SEC programs set to compete in the event.
2024 Everett Buick GMC Classic Final Leaderboard
1. Little Rock – 838 (-26)
2. South Carolina – 852 (-12)
3. Troy – 859 (-5)
T4. Memphis – 861 (-3)
T4. UAB – 861 (-3)
6. Lipscomb – 863 (-1)
7. North Texas – 866 (+2)
8. Louisiana – 867 (+3)
9. Ball State – 879 (+15)
10. ULM – 881 (+17)
11. Central Arkansas – 884 (+20)
T12. Kansas City – 886 (+22)
T12. SIU-Edwardsville – 886 (+22)
14. Southern Illinois – 893 (+29)
15. Oral Roberts – 902 (+38)
16. Lamar – 905 (+41)
2024 Everett Buick GMC Classic Final Gamecock Leaderboard
T8. Brock Blais – 210 (-6)
T14. Frankie Harris – 214 (-2)
T20. Zach Adams – 216 (E)
T27. Nathan Franks – 218 (+2)
T27. Marek Fleming – 218 (+2)
T57. Ismael Encinas^ – 226 (+10)
^ – playing as an individual
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