University of South Carolina Upstate Athletics
Rees Jones Invitational
Cornfield in Top 10 at Rees Jones Invitational
9/22/2014 12:00:00 AM | Men's Golf
Daufuskie Island, S.C. – Buoyed by an eagle and three birdies for a round of 73, Ryan Cornfield continued to pace the USC Upstate men's golf team and is in the top 10 after the second round of in the Rees Jones Invitational Monday afternoon at the Haig Point Golf Course on Daufuskie Island.
Upstate shot a 304 Monday, shaving three strokes off of its score in the first round Sunday and is in ninth place heading into Tuesday's final round. The Spartans own a 611 36-hole total. They counted scores of 73 from Cornfield, 74 from Sebastian Lopez Bulla, 77 from Trey Taylor (pictured) and 80 from Taylor White. Sean Hassell carded an 85.
"Ryan showed today why he is such a talented player," said Upstate head coach Todd Lawton. "He overcame a poor start and finished strong."
East Carolina shot a 290 and vaulted into the lead heading into Tuesday's final round. The Pirates have a 576 total and own a two-stroke lead over Kennesaw State (578). Winthrop is third at 586 and is followed on the leaderboard by Charleston Southern (589), Campbell (592), Elon (601), UNC Wilmington (606), Presbyterian (607), Upstate (611), Towson (616) and Bowling Green State (623). The Spartans are 10 shots out of sixth and within five of seventh. East Carolina's Al Dickens maintained the individual lead by three strokes and stands 8-under-par with a 136 total after 36 holes.
Upstate struggled early in the round, but steadied itself with four birdies and an eagle to close out the first nine holes of play. Cornfield recorded a birdie and eagle in two of his last four holes on his first nine and played his final nine at even par to shoot 1-over-par 73 and is tied for seventh at 145.
Lopez Bulla played each nine at 1-over, finishing with a birdie and two bogeys on his front nine and two birdies, a bogey and double bogey on his back nine to finish at 2-over 74 for the day. Taylor rebounded from an 84 on Sunday to shoot a solid 77 on Monday, seven shots lower in a steady effort. White converted three birdies in his round.
"Sebastian has played this course well and enjoys the challenge," said Lawton. "He's been very focused. I think Trey's round will go a long way to help his confidence and it certainly helped our team score."
Upstate made 15 birdies on Sunday and converted 11 with an eagle on Monday. The Spartans increased their tournament birdie total to 26.
Follow the Spartans on your mobile device, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
