April 22, 2024
Cobras Lead SAC Golf Championships After Two Rounds
ORANGEBURG, SC -- Coker broke free from the field on Monday and now has the outright lead heading into Tuesday's final round of the South Atlantic Conference Golf Championships at Orangeburg Country Club.
Senior teammates Jonathan Hallinger (Sweden) and Caleb Tidd (indiana) are tied for the individual lead through 36 holes at even-par 140 on the par-70, 7,032-yard layout. The nationally 21st-ranked Cobras hold a 3-shot lead over Lincoln Memorial, the No. 2 team in NCAA D-II.
Coker carded rounds of 288-284--572 (+12) and LMU shot 295-280--575 (+15). Anderson, Lenoir-Rhyne and Carson-Newman stand 10 shots off the lead at +22 in the 13-team field.
"We are right where we want to be," Coker head coach John Hackney said. "After playing the first hole 1-under as a team, we had four approach shots blown into the water on No. 2 and played that long par 4 8-over. In hindsight, that poor hole was a slap in the face that redirected our veteran team, because we shot 3-under par for the next 16 holes. The guys just focused their sights ahead and it paid off."
Hallinger hit 16-of-18 greens in regulation, including seven within 15 feet, and rolled in four birdies. Tidd hit 13-of-18 greens and needed just 30 putts. Those two Cobras have a 1-stroke lead over Kristoffer Larsson of Limestone and George Durkin of LMUC.
Senior Killian Ryan (England) and junior Derek McGlauglhlin (Pennsylvania) each carded a 72. Ryan notched two birdies and played each side at 1-over while McGlaughlin (four birdies) was 4-over on the front and 3-under bogey free on the back side. Senior Aaron Teece (Texas) fired a 78 with one birdie.
Hallinger is at 71-69--140, Tidd has shot 68-72--140, McGlaughlin is 20th at 76-71--147, Ryan surged to 76-72--148 (22nd) and Teece has carded 73-78--151.
"We averaged 30 putts on some tricky greens today, so that was solid," Coach Hackney said. "I was just really proud of how our guys kept that "next-shot mentality" and stayed focused after a poor performance on the second hole. That just shows their maturity. I believe we are poised and ready to win. We have been close to winning a few times this year in some vaunted fields and these guys have had their sights set on accomplishing some special things this season from the get-go. Although we are in position to earn an at-large bid, we want to punch our automatic ticket to the NCAAs with a SAC Championship."