By Logan Swensen
May 17, 2013 –
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The University of Kentucky men’s golf team wrapped up round two of the 2013 NCAA Fayetteville Regional on Friday, shooting a 21-over-par, 309. The Wildcats moved up one spot into 11th place in the 54-hole stroke play event held at Blessings Golf Club in Fayetteville, Ark.
“We finished horribly yesterday, but held real tough through the first nine holes today to get back into decent position,” head coach Brian Craig said. “Unfortunately, we executed very poorly on the back nine. To be honest, it’s terribly disappointing because we battled back into position after the tough first round and let it all go. We will go out tomorrow, play the very best round we can and keep our heads high.”
Arkansas now leads the 14-team regional field at 3-under-par 573 after a stunning 5-under-par 283 on the second day. First round leader Illinois posted 292 on day two for a 2-under 574 total, to fall to second place just one stroke back entering the final 18 holes. Texas (+7), Oklahoma State (+14) and Kent State (+15) round out the top-5 with Tulsa and SMU (+19) just four shots back of fifth place. The top-5 finishing schools will advance to the NCAA Division I Men’s Golf Championship at the Capital City Club, Crabapple Course in Atlanta, Ga., May 28-June 2.
Junior Stephen Powers led Kentucky with an even-par 72, continuing the momentum from his eagle-birdie-bogey finish on Thursday. The Naperville, Ill., native recorded three birdies on his first nine holes en route to a 1-under-par 34. On his inward nine, Powers made two bogeys but birdied his 18th hole of the day to finish even-par and move into a tie for 22nd entering the final day.
After leading the Wildcats in round one, senior Chase Parker struggled to an 8-over-par 80 on the second 18 holes. The Augusta, Ga., native is tied for 40th at 9-over par total. Parker carded his only birdie on his 13th hole of the day.
Junior Ben Stow improved his score from day one to post 5-over-par 77 and is tied for 51st. Stow made the turn in 1-over-par 36 after making birdies on both of the par-5s. Stow shot 41 on the second nine behind five pars and four bogeys.
Junior Cody Martin recorded 8-over-80 on his second day after shooting 78 on day one, putting him in 56th place on the leader board at 14-over-par. Martin had an adventurous day for UK, starting with a triple-bogey 6 on his opening hole but then sinking four birdies over his next six holes to get to 1-under-par on his round. After the remarkable run, the Union, Ky., native played his final ten holes in 9-over-par.
Sophomore Will Bishop had two birdies on Friday and is tied for 63rd in the tournament at 18-over-par after shooting 82. Bishop recorded an impressive birdie on his first hole of the day but made quadruple-bogey and double bogey on his ninth and tenth holes, respectively.
The final round will begin Saturday at 8:00 a.m. ET. Bishop will tee off first from hole No. 10 at 8:50 a.m. Martin, Stow, Powers and Parker will follow, respectively, in 10 minute intervals.
Fans can follow along with the Fayetteville Regional through updated live scoring on Golfstat.com. For more information on the University of Kentucky men’s golf team please visit UKathletics.com and follow on twitter @UKMensGolf.
2013 NCAA Regional
May 16-18, Fayetteville, Ark.
Blessing Golf Club
Course: Par-72, 7,251-yards
Kentucky Lineup:
T23. Stephen Powers – 75 – 72 – 147 (+3)
T41. Chase Parker – 73 – 80 – 153 (+9)
T53. Ben Stow – 78 — 77 – 155 (+11)
T57. Cody Martin – 78 – 80 – 158 (+14)
T64. Will Bishop – 80 – 82 – 162 (+18)
11. Kentucky – 304 – 309 – 613 (+37)
