Clemson Improves to Eighth Place after Two Rounds of NCAAs

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Cleveland, OH—Vince Hatfield recorded a second consecutive one-over-par 72

to lead Clemson to a 294 team score and an eighth-place standing after two

rounds of the NCAA Central Regional at Sand Ridge Golf club near

Cleveland, OH. The Tigers are striving to finish Saturday’s third and

final round in the top 10 and move on to the NCAA Championship tournament

at Sunriver, OR May 30 to June 2.

Clemson had a 10-over-par 294 team score on Friday, a two-stroke

improvement over the first round. However, it was much improved relative

to the rest of the field. Clemson was 14th after the first round, but

recorded the sixth best team score in the 27th team field on Friday to

improve six places in the standings. Friday’s round was played in 47

degree temperature and a light but steady rain that made the playing

conditions difficult. Clemson joined Georgia Tech and Tulsa as the only

schools among the top 16 teams to post an improved team score over the

first round.

Oklahoma State leads the Central Regional field with a 565 team score,

three-under par. The Cowboys hold a nine-shot lead over Big Ten

Champion Northwestern, who stands at 574, six over par. Texas A&M is

third at 575, while Lamar is fourth at 581. Minnesota and Georgia Tech

are tied at 583, while Duke is seventh at 587. Clemson, Oklahoma and

TCU are tied for eighth at 590, while Texas and Tulsa are tied for 11th

at 592. Duke and Texas were paired with Clemson on Friday and both

Tiger opponents shot 17 over par 301.

With the three way tie for eight, the Tigers are on the cutline heading

into the final round. Five other schools are between 22 and 26 over and

will certainly challenge the Tigers on Saturday.

“Considering the weather elements we played well today,” said head coach

Larry Penley. “We could have had a very good round had we not counted

three bogeys on the 17th (par three). A seven over team score today would

have been outstanding.

“ We have to finish rounds off better than we have done lately, but we

moved up the leader board to under the cutline. Making the 10-team cut

is what it is all about at this tournament.We battled all day and hung in

there in difficult conditions. I was proud of the team, especially the

young players.” Clemson is attempting to start a new streak of NCAA

National tournament appearances. Last year the Tigers failed to make the

national tournament for the first time since 1981.

Hatfield was steady for the second consecutive day. The freshman from

Greenwood, SC had birdies on the 15th and 18th holes coming in. He

birdied the 18th hole by hitting his second shot just short of the green.

He then chipped up to within a foot and made the putt for birdie.

Hatfield has now been Clemson’s best golfer in two consecutive rounds,

the first time he has done that in a tournament this year.

Hatfield is ranked 14th individually after two rounds, Clemson’s highest

ranked performer. He is trying to become the second consecutive #5

player to lead Clemson at the regional. Last year Stephen Poole was

Clemson’s #5 player entering the tournament, but finished 18th overall to

rank first among Tiger players.

Three Clemson golfers had rounds of 74 on Friday. Senior Stephen Poole,

sophomore Tanner Ervin and freshman David May, all had three-over par 74s

in the difficult conditions.

Poole was four over for the first six holes, but played the last 12

holes at one-under par. Poole made a three-foot putt for birdie on the

seventh and made a 12 footer for birdie on the 18th. He had a bogey four

on the 17th, but that was his only blemish over the last 12 holes. He

now has 27 pars for the first two rounds, five more than any other Tiger.

May had his second straight 74 on Friday. He has six birdies in the two

rounds, including two on Friday. He had one bogey and eight pars for the

first nine holes and had birdies on 12 and 14 to highlight his day’s

work.

Ervin had a three-stroke improvement over his first round in scoring the

74 on Friday. He had a solid par save from the rough on the ninth hole

when he hit his chip shot (third) 10 feet short, but made the uphill putt

for a par. Ervin was listed as having scored a 79 on the initial post by

golfstat, the internet site that charts player and team scores. But, his

round was corrected when official scorers reviewed his scorecard.

Brian Duncan had a 77 and his score did not count towards Clemson’s team

score for the second straight day. However, the senior finished strong

with three birdies in his last four holes, a streak that will hopefully

set him on the right track for Saturday’s final round. He suffered a bad

break on the seventh hole when he lost his ball in the rough and he

scored a double bogey.

Clemson will tee off in the second wave of teams on Saturday just after

8:00 AM. Exact tee times will be posted by golfstat.com.

Clemson scores after two rounds of NCAA Central Regional

Par 71, 7173 Yards, Sand Ridge Golf Club, Chadron, OH

Vince Hatfield           72-72   144     14th


Stephen Poole            73-74   147     29th


David May                74-74   148     45th


Tanner Ervin             77-74   151     73rd


Brian Duncan             81-77   158     132nd


Clemson                  296-294 590

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