April 4, 2009
AUGUSTA, Ga. (UCFAthletics.com) - After two rounds of play at the Adminstaff ASU Invitational, the 15th-ranked UCF men's golf team sits in second place at the Forest Hills Golf Club. The Knights (557, -19) trail tournament host Augusta State by six strokes.
UCF freshman Blayne Barber (Lake City, Fla.) fired a 4-under 68 in the opening round Saturday and a 2-under 70 in the second round and is tied for seventh (138, -6). All five Knights in action at the 17-team event are under par after 36 holes.
The three-round tournament will conclude with 18 holes Sunday.
UCF posted a 6-under 282 in the first round and followed that with a 13-under 275 in the afternoon. Augusta State posted a 10-under 278 and a 15-under 273 and enters the final day of play at 551 (-25). Chattanooga is third (559, -17).
Barber is one of three Knights in the top-30 of the individual standings. Senior David Johnson carded a 3-under 69 to open the event. He posted a 1-under 71 in the second round and is tied for 17th at 4-under 140. Junior Simon Ward (County Monaghan, Ireland) totaled a 4-under 68 in the afternoon and is tied for 26th (141, -2).
Sophomore Jed Dirksen (Hampton, Iowa) and redshirt freshman Brad Schneider (Valrico, Fla.) are tied for 31st at 142 (-2). Roberto Diaz (133, -11) of USC-Aiken leads the event.
The event is the second of the week for the Knights. On Tuesday, the squad finished fourth at the Hootie at Bulls Bay in Awendaw, S.C. UCF concluded the event ahead of several ranked teams, including No. 5 Clemson. Barber placed tied for eighth on the individual side.
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Team Leaders
1. Augusta State 278-273=551 (-25)
2. UCF 282-275=557 (-19)
3. Chattanooga 273-286=559 (-17)
4. Kent State 286-275=561 (-15)
5. Coastal Carolina 279-283=562 (-14)
UCF Individuals
T7. Blayne Barber 68-70=138 (-6)
T17. David Johnson 69-71=140 (-4)
T26. Simon Ward 73-68=141 (-3)
T31. Jed Dirksen 72-70=142 (-2)
T31. Brad Schneider 75-67=142 (-2)