HOT SPRINGS, Va. ? Matt Wells is playing the best golf of his college career and he?s doing it on the game?s biggest stage, the 2004 NCAA Division I Men?s Golf Championships. Wells (68-68=136) posted his second consecutive two-under par 68 on day two of the tournament to move to four-under par. The junior is tied for first overall with Chris Nallen (Arizona) and Jeff Hood (California) while Kentucky (283-286=569) is one stroke behind California for second-place as a team.
?I played a lot better today than I did yesterday,? Wells said. ?I hit the ball real well and putted a lot better than I have been the last couple of weeks.?
Wells, who has played the majority of the season as UK?s No. 4 or No. 5 player, finished the day with an astounding eight birdies and would have posted an even better round if it weren?t for a short stretch on the back nine. After moving to four-under-par on the day with three consecutive birdies between holes nine and 11, Wells proceeded to card four consecutive bogeys and had appeared to lose his stroke. However, the Wilmington, N.C., native closed the round with birdies on 16 and 17 and par on 18.
?I?m definitely playing the best of my career right now,? Wells said. ?Coach (Craig) challenged me to play better and made me realize that I haven?t been playing my best. He?s been pushing me and it is finally paying off.?
As a team, Kentucky moved up from fourth to second place despite adding three strokes to its second round score. Junior John Holmes (71-69=140) carded a one-under par 69 in round two to move up 15 spots to 15th. Kentucky was also helped by Mark Blakefield (71-72=143) and Brandon Waldrop (73-77=150) who have posted solid 36 hole scores. Sophomore Tyler Wilson (82-79=161) dropped three strokes in the second round to close out the Cats? lineup.
?We finished strong and I?m happy with the round we had today,? Craig said. ?Matt has played two beautiful rounds. He?s coming into his own, believing in himself and he knows he belongs, which I knew all along. I?m proud of him for what he?s doing.?
UK is set to tee off at The Homestead Resort?s Cascades Course at 7 a.m., Thursday morning grouped with California and third place Brigham Young. For full tournament results, visit www.golfstatresults.com.
Kentucky Scores
T1 Matt Wells 68-68=136
T15 John Holmes 71-69=140
T37 Mark Blakefield 71-72=143
T112 Brandon Waldrop 73-77=150
155 Tyler Wilson 82-79=161
Team Standings
1 California 279-289=568
2 Kentucky 283-286=569
3 Brigham Young 280-290=570
T4 Washington 289-290=571
Pepperdine 295-276=571
T6 Georgia St. 292-280=572
UCLA 289-283=572
T8 TCU 281-292=573
Arizona 292-281=573
T10 Florida 285-289=574
Texas 288-286=574
Georgia Tech 289-285=574
Individual Standings
T1 Matt Wells (UK) 68-68=136
Jeff Hood (Cal) 65-71=136
Chris Nallen (Arizona) 69-67=136
T4 A.J. Elgert (Kansas St.) 68-69=137
Travis Johnson (UCLA) 69-68=137
Ryan Moore (UNLV) 67-70=137
