Scores
ORLANDO, Fla. – Junior
Ellis Messian carded a bogey free 33 on the back nine Saturday to lead the George Mason University men's golf team during second round action at the A-10 Championship at Grand Cyprus Golf Club.
After going out in five-over 41, Messian made three birdies and no bogeys during a spectacular final nine that moved him into a tie for 19
th place after 36 holes in Orlando.
The Patriots shot a combined 299 (+11) on day two and have compiled a 36-hole total of 584 (285-299, +8). That score ties Mason with Davidson for sixth place heading into Sunday's final round.
Richmond leads the tournament (561, -15), followed by VCU (569, -7) and George Washington (572, -4).
"Unfortunately, today's round was like yesterday's," head coach
Scott King said. "We started well and felt like we were going to put up a good number. Unfortunately with a links course, good shots can end up with bad results. We had some unusual lies and situations which cost us too many shots. That's links golf."
Messian's solid final nine holes Saturday included a birdie on the par-3 12
th and a pair of birdies on the par-5 15
th and 17
th holes. The birdie on 15 came after Messian laid up 50 yards and pitched a shot over a mound that landed at the base and rolled to within eight feet. He made the putt en route to a 2-over par 74. His 36-hole total is 145 (71-74, +1).
Senior
Kyle Hart made three birdies during his Saturday round en route to a 74 (+2). He had a nice tap in birdie at the second after a nice third shot at the par-5. Then, at the short par-4 14
th, Hart hit his second shot to within five feet and converted the knee knocker for birdie. The Midlothian, Va., product is tied for 25
th with a two-day total of 146 (72-74, +2).
Junior
Eric Edwards entered the day in the top-10 amongst the field and got as high as fourth during a second round in which he made two birdies on the first six holes. But Edwards bogeyed eight of his final 11 holes to finish with a 78. The talented junior will look to bounce back and put together a strong final round on Sunday. He sits tied for 30
th with a cumulative score of 147 (69-78, +3).
Junior
Brock Kovach opened with a birdie at the first, then maneuvered around a difficult middle of his round to close with five consecutive pars. He shot 77 (+5) on the day and is currently tied for 39
th with a score of 150 (73-77, +6).
Rounding out the Patriot contingent, freshman
Davis Soderberg, bounced back from an opening round 77 to shoot 74 (+2) in far more difficult conditions Saturday. Soderberg made the turn at 1-under 35 and played his final five holes at 1-under par as well. His only hiccups came at the 12
th and 13
th holes where he made consecutive double bogeys. But the steady Soderberg gathered himself and finished the round strong. He is tied for 43
rd with a total of 151 (77-74, +7).
"Even though we may be out of contention to win, the guys are focused and ready to move as far up the leaderboard as possible," King added. "We're ready to light it up tomorrow and make a move on the last day."
The Patriots will play Sunday's final round with La Salle and Dayton, beginning at 7:30 a.m.
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