Middle Tennesee State University Athletics
Blue Raiders grab 36-hole lead
9/12/2016 6:35:00 PM | Men's Golf
Shoot 13-under in second round
KIAWAH ISLAND, SC – The Middle Tennessee men's golf team opened up the 2016 fall season on a strong note in South Carolina Monday. The Blue Raiders shot a 36-hole total of 556 on the par 72, 7,115-yard Ocean Course at the Kiawah Island Resort to grab the overall lead.
The Blue Raiders opened with a 7-under 281 then caught fire in round two with a 13-under par 275. The 275 went down as the fifth best round in relation to par in school history and the lowest by the Blue Raiders since recording a 274 at the 2010 Mason Rudolph Championship. In the second round, MT had four players shoot in the 60s.
At 20-under par, the Blue Raiders own a three shot lead over second place Georgia State and have a five-shot cushion over Ole Miss and Augusta.
"It was a great way to begin the year," said Head Coach Brennan Webb. "We are all really looking forward to tomorrow and the opportunity in front of us. It is always great to get in contention early in the year so that our guys can be in that last group and know how it feels. It will be very beneficial to us as a team.
"I was happy to see everyone contribute today with a round in the 60s. This is a very talented group and they showed it today right out of the gate."
James Beckner, Joey Savoid and Ilaro Saulo are all tied for sixth place overall with a 36-hole total of 140. All three shot a 71 in round one and came back with a 69 in round two.
Beckner had eight birdies on the day while Savoie led the way with 11. Saulo managed just four birdies but had two eagles.
Chip Thomas and Connor Slane are both tied for 14th after posting a 141 total. Thomas, a freshman, opened with a 73 then stormed back to card a 68 in round two. He had eight birdies on the day.
Slane did just the opposite of Thomas. The senior, who had seven birdies, opened with a 68 then put up a 73 in the afternoon.
Marcus Byrd, playing as an individual, is tied for 72nd with a 151 score. He had rounds of 77-74.
The final round will begin at 7:30 AM eastern and you can follow scores at Golfstat.com.
The Blue Raiders opened with a 7-under 281 then caught fire in round two with a 13-under par 275. The 275 went down as the fifth best round in relation to par in school history and the lowest by the Blue Raiders since recording a 274 at the 2010 Mason Rudolph Championship. In the second round, MT had four players shoot in the 60s.
At 20-under par, the Blue Raiders own a three shot lead over second place Georgia State and have a five-shot cushion over Ole Miss and Augusta.
"It was a great way to begin the year," said Head Coach Brennan Webb. "We are all really looking forward to tomorrow and the opportunity in front of us. It is always great to get in contention early in the year so that our guys can be in that last group and know how it feels. It will be very beneficial to us as a team.
"I was happy to see everyone contribute today with a round in the 60s. This is a very talented group and they showed it today right out of the gate."
James Beckner, Joey Savoid and Ilaro Saulo are all tied for sixth place overall with a 36-hole total of 140. All three shot a 71 in round one and came back with a 69 in round two.
Beckner had eight birdies on the day while Savoie led the way with 11. Saulo managed just four birdies but had two eagles.
Chip Thomas and Connor Slane are both tied for 14th after posting a 141 total. Thomas, a freshman, opened with a 73 then stormed back to card a 68 in round two. He had eight birdies on the day.
Slane did just the opposite of Thomas. The senior, who had seven birdies, opened with a 68 then put up a 73 in the afternoon.
Marcus Byrd, playing as an individual, is tied for 72nd with a 151 score. He had rounds of 77-74.
The final round will begin at 7:30 AM eastern and you can follow scores at Golfstat.com.
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