Feb. 23, 2009
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - Thanks to a strong performance from freshman Blayne Barber (Lake City, Fla.), the 21st-ranked UCF men's golf team leads the field after two rounds of play at the Rio Pinar Invitational. Barber posted an 8-under 64 in the second round and paces the field at 135 (-9).
Play at the three-round, 21-team event at the Rio Pinar Country Club will conclude Tuesday morning. The third round will begin at 8:30 a.m. The tournament is open to the public.
The Knights (571, -5) lead second-place Louisville by four strokes. UCF registered a 294 (+6) in the opening round and followed that up with an 11-under 277 in the afternoon.
Barber is one of three players in the UCF lineup who sits in the top 20 after one day of play. Senior David Johnson (Palm Bay, Fla.) is tied for 11 at 144 (E) and junior Simon Ward (County Monaghan, Ireland) posted a 145 (+1) and is tied for 18th.
Sophomore Jed Dirksen (Hampton, Iowa) is competing as an individual. He recorded a 4-under 68 in the second round and is tied for third at 141 (-3).
Redshirt freshman Brad Schneider (Valrico, Fla.) is tied for 31st (147, +3) and junior Nico Donaldson (Windermere, Fla.) will enter the final round tied for 56th at 150 (+6).
UCF claimed the Rio Pinar Invitational title a year ago.
Seventeen players finished the day at even-par or better. Bobby Masa of Texas-Arlington sits in second at 5-under 139.
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