Raleigh, N.C. - Led by senior Brent Paul, the Georgia State men's golf team put together its best two-round stretch of the early season and stand in sixth place entering tomorrow's final round of the Wolfpack Intercollegiate hosted by N.C. State.
Paul stands in a four-way tie for second place after rounds of 68 and 70 to stand at 4-under par on the par 71, 7358-yard Lonnie Poole Golf Course. Paul stands just three shots back of N. C. State's Albin Choi with 18 holes of golf to play.
The Panthers opened with a round of 292 in the morning and followed with a 1-over 285 in the afternoon to stand ahead of a pair of top 30 ranked teams, while also pacing themselves ahead of three CAA rivals.
Paul's first round 68 included six birdies, but arguably his second round was more impressive. After opening his round with two birdies, a pair of double bogeys almost cost him a good round, however, the senior birdied his final two holes to get back to 1-under par for the round.
"I am extremely proud of the way the team maintained their composure today," commented head coach Joe Inman. "We had a couple of tough stretches, but we stayed together and scored two solid rounds. I look forward to playing in the second-to-last group on Tuesday."
Fellow senior Alan Fowler opened with a 3-over 74 in the morning, but rebounded with a 72 in the afternoon to stand in a tie for 32nd with teammate Tyler Gruca.
Gruca, a freshman walk-on, led the Panthers with a second round 69 after opening with a 77 in the morning. As part of the shotgun start, Gruca opened play on the eighth hole. He finished his round (holes six and seven) with a birdie-eagle finish to get to 2-under. His eagle, on the par 5, 589-yard seventh hole, came from a pitch shot 80 yards short of the green.
Freshman Grant Cagle stands tied for 38th after rounds of 73 and 74. Cagle is making his collegiate debut in the Panthers second tournament of the season.
Freshman Ross McLister, also making his collegiate debut, stands in a tie for 82nd following rounds of 79 and 77.
No. 20 Duke leads the 17-team field by three strokes after rounds of 283 and 275. The Blue Devils stand at 10-under par, followed by No. 16 N.C. State at 7-under. Maryland stands third at 3-under, while No. 18 Wake Forest is in fourth at 1-under par. East Carolina rounds out the top five at 2-over par.
State stands ahead of No. 27 UNC Wilmington, which is in seventh place and No. 28 Campbell, which stands tied for ninth.
Tied with Brent Paul for second place are Duke's Brinson Paolini, Maryland's John Popeck and East Carolina's David Watkins.
Paul will be looking for his first collegiate victory on Tuesday. Tee times begin at 8 a.m. as the Panthers will be off of the first tee with Wake Forest and East Carolina.
Live stats will be available via GolfStat.com. The Panthers will return to action at the Jerry Pate National Intercollegiate, hosted by Alabama, this upcoming weekend.
Team Results
1. Duke - 283-275-558
2. N.C. State - 285-276-561
3. Maryland - 282-283-565
4. Wake Forest - 290-277-567
5. East Carolina - 280-290-570
6. Georgia State - 292-285-577
7. UNC Wilmington - 290-290-580
8. Memphis - 297-287-584
T9. Lynn - 292-287-584
T9. Rhode Island - 301-286-587
T9. Campbell - 289-298-587
T9. VCU - 295-292-587
13. Arkansas-Little Rock - 299-289-588
14. Francis Marion - 297-300 - 597
15. Western Carolina - 309-289-598
16. Navy - 304-296-600
17. George Mason - 305-300-605
Individual Results
T2. Brent Paul - 68-70-138
T32. Alan Fowler - 74-72-146
T32. Tyler Gruca - 77-69-146
T38. Grant Cagle - 73-74-147
T82. Ross McLister - 79-77-156
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