Tide Jumps Into Lead Going Into Mercedes Final Round
2/21/2005 12:00:00 AM | Men's Golf
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PONTE VEDRA BEACH, FLA. – The University of Alabama men’s golf team is in first place with a four-stroke lead going into Tuesday’s final round of the Mercedes-Benz Collegiate Championship.
Alabama jumped from 10th place after Sunday’s opening round to first on Monday, following a 297 with 291 to lead the field of 17 teams here at Sawgrass Country Club despite play under very windy conditions.
“The wind blows everywhere, but probably not as much as it does at Sawgrass,” said Alabama coach Jay Seawell. “We made adjustments to the wind. I told our guys to their game and not try to do anything special because of the wind.”
Alabama shot 297-291/588 and is at twelve over par going into the final round Tuesday. UCLA (292-300/592) and South Carolina (292-300/592) are tied at second, followed by Florida (594), LSU (595), Augusta State and Tennessee (596), in a three-way tie at eighth North Florida, Kentucky and Central Florida (601), at 11th Duke (604), UAB (608), tied at 13th Coastal Carolina and Georgia State (611), Arkansas (612), Florida State (627) and Northwestern (628).
Alabama’s has three golfers in the top 12, led by Clint Provost who is in second place at one under par. The senior from Pensacola shot 72-71/143 and is one stroke behind Augusta State’s Major Manning who is two-under par at 73-69/142.
Thomas Hagler, whose round Monday included an eagle, is among a three-way tie at 7th. The Crimson Tide golfer shot 75-71/146 and is two over par going into the final round. His teammate, freshman Mark Harrell is among a tie for 12th, carding 75-73/148. Freshman Gator Todd shot 75-76/151 and is T-37th, and Joesph Sykora is 81st, shooting 78-83/151.
Alabama begins final round play at 8 a.m. CT on Tuesday.
