Cougars in seventh at prestigious Jerry Pate National Intercollegiate
Birmingham, Ala.--BYU's seventh-ranked men's golf team is in seventh place after two rounds at the Jerry Pate National Intercollegiate on Monday.
Eleven of the 12 teams competing are ranked in the top 25 including seven of the top 10 teams in the country.
"It's the elit of the elite out here today," BYU head coach Bruce Brockbank said. "These eastern boys are showing us how to play, but hopefully that will make us hungry in the off-season. It's a great trip and a privelege to be here."
BYU hasn't been invited to the Jerry Pate in the past because it usually is played on Sunday. But because of the success of last year's squad, BYU was invited to play and the tournament was moved to a Monday-Tuesday format.
The Cougars were led by Manuel Merizalde who shot 74-69-143. Merizalde, who recently finished third at the prestigious Ping Preview, was on course for a sub-par second round before shooting a couple of bogies on the back nine.
Merizalde was followed by senior Jesse Hibler at 71-73-144 and Billy Harvey and Scott Miller are tied for 31st at 145.
Sixth ranked Tech 282-271--553 is the team leader going into the final round with a two-stroke lead against Georgia 277-278--555, the defending NCAA national champions and No. 1 ranked team in the country.
Georgia Tech's Bryce Molder backed his ranking as the nation's No. 1 collegiate golfer Monday afternoon shootng a course record 62, nine under par, in the second round.
TEAM SCORES1. Georgia Tech 282-271--553 -15
2. Georgia 277-278--555 -13
3. Clemson 287-270--557 -11
4. Oklahoma State 285-281--566 -2
4. UAB 286-280--566 -2
6. Southern California 285-287--572 +4
7. BYU 288-287--575 +7
7. Houston 284-291--575 +7
9. Alabama 293-286--579 +11
10. Auburn 299-283--582 +14
11. Arizona 293-290--583 +15
12. UNLV 289-295--584 +16
INDIVIDUAL SCORES
t22 Manuel Merizalde 74-68--143 +1
t25 Jesse Hibler 71-73--144 +2
t31 Scott Miller 68-77--145 +3
t31 Billy Harvey 75-70--145 +3
t53 Kyle Wight 77-75--152 +10
