Huskies still in contention
Published 10:47 pm Wednesday, May 27, 2009
TOLEDO, Ohio — The University of Washington men’s golf team overcame a sluggish start to remain within striking distance of the leaders after the second round of the NCAA Championships at Inverness Club on Wednesday.
The Huskies improved their performance by seven strokes over Tuesday’s first round score by shooting a two-over-par 286, the fifth-best round among the 15 teams that completed the second round before threatening weather suspended play for 41/2 hours, leaving almost half the field still on the course when darkness fell. Play will resume early today, with the third round to follow.
In the team standings, Oklahoma State (568) and Georgia (573) were the top two followed by Texas A&M (574), Arizona State (575), Washington (579) and Arkansas (580). Michigan, Duke, Ohio State and San Diego had incomplete scores because they were unable to finish their rounds.
The top eight teams through 54 holes of medal play advance to match-play quarterfinals.
“I don’t think we shot ourselves out of it,” said Washington head coach Matt Thurmond. “Unfortunately, I think we distanced ourselves a little bit in the wrong direction from the leaders. But, they are still within reach.”
North Carolina State’s Matt Hill eagled his next-to-last hole to tie Georgia’s Russell Henley for the medal lead.
Hill, a co-leader after the opening 18 holes, shot a second consecutive 2-under 69 and was at 4-under 138. Henley followed a 71 with a 67.
A contender for national player of the year, Hill is playing as an individual because his team did not qualify.
Bronson Burgoon of Texas A&M shot a 67 and was a shot behind Hill and Henley at 3-under 139. Arizona State’s Scott Pinckney had a 67 and was at 140 along with Washington junior Nick Taylor, who shot his second straight 70. The individual winner will be decided through 54 holes.
Washington’s Darren Wallace shot a 72 to drop to two-over-par for the two rounds.
UW’s Richard Lee shot a 71 to remain at five-over par for the tournament.
The Huskies’ Chris Killmer is six-over and Washington’s Tze Huang Choo shot a 76, 11-over for the tournament.
