BATH, Mich. – Heading into the final round of the NCAA Bath Regional, the Michigan State men's golf team remains in position to advance to the NCAA Championships as the Spartans are in fifth place with an 11-under-par 557 following Tuesday's second round at Eagle Eye Golf Club.
A day after tying the second-best 18-hole score in program history at 12-under 272, Michigan State shot a 1-over 285 in the second round, but it still remains seven shots ahead of sixth place Kansas State (564) and Florida (564). The top-five teams in the 13-team regional will head to the NCAA Championships in Scottsdale, Arizona, during the last week of May.
No. 34 Georgia continues to lead the field after carding a 10-under 274 on Tuesday to extend its lead to 10 shots at 28-under (266-274—540) over third-ranked Illinois (272-278—550). No. 22 Oregon is in third place at 15-under (279-274—553) and defending national champion and No. 15 Texas is fourth at 12-under (275-281—556).
"We're going to keep doing what we're doing," said MSU men's golf head coach Casey Lubahn. "We're so proud of the support we've received here and we just want to show the hometown fans something special tomorrow.
"It's good to have stable leadership coming down the stretch, and I'm proud of this team because we have experienced guys."
Georgia's Ben Van Wyk entered the day atop the leaderboard after shooting a 65 on Monday and is still in first place after carding a round of 68 on Tuesday. At 9-under par (65-68—133), Van Wyk is ahead by one stroke over Oregon's Owen Avrit (66-68—134) and teammate Caleb Manuel (66-68—134).
After tying his career-best round of 66 in the first round, senior Troy Taylor II continues to lead the Spartans, sitting in a tie for sixth place at 5-under 137. Taylor was 2-over on the front nine but rebounded on the back nine with seven pars and two birdies, including one on the par-5 18th, to finish even-par at 71.
Junior August Meekhof had the best round of the day for MSU with a 2-under 69, including three birdies overall on his scorecard. Meekhof (70-69) is tied for 19th place, along with his teammate Ashton McCulloch (68-71), with a 3-under-par 139.
Senior Drew Hackett rounded out Michigan State's team scoring in the second round with a 74 and is tied for 37th at 143 (69-74). Senior Bradley Simpson is tied for 46th with a 145 (69-76).
"I think that ignoring the reality of it is dangerous, you just have to own it," said Lubahn of being in position to advance to the NCAA Championships heading into the last round. "Seven shots is a lot, but it can happen fast on a golf course like this. You have to know that's the deal but go out and play committed, aggressive swings to conservative lines. They've got to chase us; we just can't give any back."
The third and final round of the NCAA Bath Regional, held at the par-71, 7,090-yard Eagle Eye Golf Club, will start at 8 a.m. on Wednesday. Live scoring is available at golfstat.com.
Info via MSU Athletics:
msuspartans.com
A day after tying the second-best 18-hole score in program history at 12-under 272, Michigan State shot a 1-over 285 in the second round, but it still remains seven shots ahead of sixth place Kansas State (564) and Florida (564). The top-five teams in the 13-team regional will head to the NCAA Championships in Scottsdale, Arizona, during the last week of May.
No. 34 Georgia continues to lead the field after carding a 10-under 274 on Tuesday to extend its lead to 10 shots at 28-under (266-274—540) over third-ranked Illinois (272-278—550). No. 22 Oregon is in third place at 15-under (279-274—553) and defending national champion and No. 15 Texas is fourth at 12-under (275-281—556).
"We're going to keep doing what we're doing," said MSU men's golf head coach Casey Lubahn. "We're so proud of the support we've received here and we just want to show the hometown fans something special tomorrow.
"It's good to have stable leadership coming down the stretch, and I'm proud of this team because we have experienced guys."
Georgia's Ben Van Wyk entered the day atop the leaderboard after shooting a 65 on Monday and is still in first place after carding a round of 68 on Tuesday. At 9-under par (65-68—133), Van Wyk is ahead by one stroke over Oregon's Owen Avrit (66-68—134) and teammate Caleb Manuel (66-68—134).
After tying his career-best round of 66 in the first round, senior Troy Taylor II continues to lead the Spartans, sitting in a tie for sixth place at 5-under 137. Taylor was 2-over on the front nine but rebounded on the back nine with seven pars and two birdies, including one on the par-5 18th, to finish even-par at 71.
Junior August Meekhof had the best round of the day for MSU with a 2-under 69, including three birdies overall on his scorecard. Meekhof (70-69) is tied for 19th place, along with his teammate Ashton McCulloch (68-71), with a 3-under-par 139.
Senior Drew Hackett rounded out Michigan State's team scoring in the second round with a 74 and is tied for 37th at 143 (69-74). Senior Bradley Simpson is tied for 46th with a 145 (69-76).
"I think that ignoring the reality of it is dangerous, you just have to own it," said Lubahn of being in position to advance to the NCAA Championships heading into the last round. "Seven shots is a lot, but it can happen fast on a golf course like this. You have to know that's the deal but go out and play committed, aggressive swings to conservative lines. They've got to chase us; we just can't give any back."
The third and final round of the NCAA Bath Regional, held at the par-71, 7,090-yard Eagle Eye Golf Club, will start at 8 a.m. on Wednesday. Live scoring is available at golfstat.com.
Info via MSU Athletics:
Spartans in Fifth Place at NCAA Bath Regional, Remain in Position to Advance - Michigan State University Athletics
BATH, Mich. – Heading into the final round of the NCAA Bath Regional, the Michigan State men's golf team remains in position to advance to the NCAA Championships
msuspartans.com
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