Sjoholm Seventh Through Two Rounds at NCAAs

Men's Golf Matthew Simmons/Sports Communications

Sjoholm Seventh Through Two Rounds at NCAAs

Georgia State senior golfer Joel Sjoholm carded an even-par 72 in the second round of the NCAA Men's Golf Championships to sit in seventh place while action is still underway on the Kampen Course at the Birck Boilermaker Golf Complex in West Lafayette, Ind. on Thursday.

Ranked second nationally in the GolfStat Cup Rankings, Sjoholm has posted back-to-back rounds of 72 to sit five strokes off the lead set by Florida's Billy Horschel (139, -5).

“The scoring conditions were perfect today,” said Georgia State head coach Matt Clark. “Joel had trouble driving and was forced to scrap at it today, but he found a way to shoot a good score on a tough course.”

Sjoholm, who won three tournaments in his senior campaign including the 2008 Colonial Athletic Association Championship, had just two birdies in a second round that began on the back nine. Sitting two-over par through 15 holes, the native of Sweden eagled the par-five sixth hole to move to even par. With a bogey on the par-four seventh and a birdie on the par-four ninth, Sjoholm concluded his round at par.

Purdue University's Kampen Course has proved to be a challenge for the nation's best golfers. Yielding just three sub-par scores in the first round and more than 50 scores in the 80s, only six players are under par through two rounds and no competitor has posted a pair of sub-par rounds.

In most places, the Kampen Course features rough between three to six inches and, in areas, as high as one foot.

“With the trouble driving, Joel was forced to play out of the rough,” described Clark. “It's a testimony to his character because it was mind over matter out there. Joel could have easily shot a 78 today, but he was able to post a 72 to in contention for the championship.”

Sjoholm was picked as a favorite to win the championship by GolfWeek writers Ron Balicki and Asher Wildman.

The four-day and four-round NCAA Men's Golf Championship features 30 of the nation's best teams and 156 competitors. The field will be cut following three rounds, although individual competitors will play all four rounds regardless of score.

Check GeorgiaStateSports.com for updates following the round's completion and live scoring can be found at GolfStat.com. Live video of the third and fourth round of the NCAA Men's Golf Championship will be available on Friday and Saturday at GolfStat.com and NCAASports.com.

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