May 30, 2012
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By Doug Richards
UCFAthletics.com
PACIFIC PALISADES, Calif. (UCFAthletics.com) - After spending much of the second round Wednesday at the top of the leaderboard, the UCF men's golf team is still in contention to advance to match play at the NCAA Championship at the Riviera Country Club. The Knights, who are ranked 20th nationally, enter Thursday's final round in 17th, but are just four shots behind five squads who are tied for eighth.
Following Thursday's third round, the top eight teams will advance to match play. The championship will be decided on Sunday. Thirty teams are competing at the event.
UCF entered the second round tied for sixth and moved up to first through seven holes of play. The Knights were led by Greg Eason to start the round, as the sophomore carded was 3-under after nine holes. Eason, and his teammates, had less success on the back nine and the Knights finished the day at 14-over 298. UCF will start the final round at 588 (+20). No. 3 California, No. 17 Kent State, No. 18 Florida, No. 6 Southern California and Illinois are all tied for eighth at 584 (+16).
The Knights will start play at 8:20 a.m. local time Thursday, and that bodes well for UCF. The majority of the low scores during the tournament have come during the morning, before heavy winds have become a factor on the course.
"On both days, the low scores have come from the early tee times," UCF head coach Bryce Wallor said. "We can go out there and have a great round of golf. We're four back from eighth, and we'll see what happens."
No. 2 Alabama leads the field at 4-over 572, followed by No. 5 UCLA (576, +8).
Eason shot 4-over on the back nine, but enters the final round tied for 10th at 1-over 143. He carded a 1-over 72 Wednesday. Fellow sophomore Ricardo Gouveia is tied for 26th at 145 (+3). Jose Joia enters the final round tied for 84th (150, +8) and Brad Schneider is tied for 92nd (151, +9).
UCF is making its fifth all-time appearance at the NCAA Championship. The Knights last participated in the championship in 2009, tying for 10th.
Team Leaders
1. Alabama 285-287=572 (+4)
2. UCLA 289-287=576 (+8)
3. Florida State 290-290=580 (+12)
17. UCF 290-298=588 (+20)
UCF Golfers
T10. Greg Eason 71-72=143 (+1)
T26. Ricardo Gouveia 72-73=145 (+3)
T84. Jose Joia 72-78=150 (+8)
T92. Brad Schneider 75-76=151 (+9)
144. Kyle Wilshire 80-77=157 (+15)