Musselman, McDaniel Lead UK To Top-Five Finish

RIO GRANDE, Puerto Rico. – The University of Kentucky men’s golf team opened its 2016 spring season with a fourth-place finish at the Puerto Rico Classic. Freshman Fred Allen Meyer saw a successful final day of the tournament, leading the team with a 3-under par, 69, making that the best round of his career. As a team, the Wildcats score of 853 was their best three-round score since posting an 846 at the Schenkel Invitational in March 2015.

What coach Brian Craig is saying:

“I only have two things to say about this event. How about Fred Allen Meyer and how about Stephen Stallings?  This week was Fred Allen’s first competitive event in 17 months and he shot 74,69 over the last two rounds and was low round for us today. That is simply fabulous and a testament to his character and perseverance.  Stephen put himself in position to win the event after 36 holes and is blossoming into an outstanding player in the world of high level collegiate golf. If you followed him around for a week, you would know why. ‘Stallzy’ is the consummate professional.  His work ethic is off the charts, his fundamentals are brilliant and he has learned how to control his emotions and pay attention to the details. I will gladly compete with Fred Allen and ‘Stallzy’ anywhere and against anybody.”

About the lineup:

Sophomores Cooper Musselman and Tyler ‘Chip’ McDaniel led the Wildcats on the leaderboard, and Meyer had a career-day in the final round. After scoring a 2-over par, 74, on day two, Meyer followed it up with a 3-under 69 on Tuesday. Meyer charted four birdies and an eagle on the par-five 15th. He scored a 5-under par over his final 14 holes, moving up the leaderboard by 18 positions. 

McDaniel and Musselman ended the tournament tied for 11th in the individual standings. A successful third day for both, McDaniel finished with a 2-under, 70, and Musselman with a 1-under, 71, his best round of the 2015-16 so far. McDaniel leads the team with 11 par or better rounds this season and continued that stretch of play with today’s round. Musselman’s tie for 11th was the best of the season for the sophomore as he capped the tournament with a total score of 3-under par.

Stallings tied his career-low during the second-round on Monday and finished the tournament at even par and in a tie for 27th. Senior David Snyder finished with a 2-over par today, concluding the tournament with a 4-over, 74, overall. 

Freshman Lukas Euler led the way for the Wildcats playing in the individual tournament. Euler scored an even par, 72, in the third round and finished in fourth overall. Freshman Jalen Ledger was ninth with a final round of 74, while sophomore Chris Meuth carded a 75 on the final day to finish in 12th.  

The Tournament Field:

Alabama finished on top at the Puerto Rico Classic for the fourth time in five seasons, scoring a 25-under par, 839, at the end of the three-day tournament. The Clemson Tigers took home runner-up status at 16-under par, 848, with Georgia finishing in third place with a 13-under par, 851. North Carolina was fifth, two strokes behind the fourth-place Wildcats.

Up Next For The Wildcats: 

Kentucky will return to action for its second spring tournament of the season on Sunday, March 6 at the Tiger Invitational. The tournament will play in a three-day format, March 6-8, in Auburn, Ala. The teams will compete on the Grand National (Lake) Course. 

Rio Mar Beach and Spa Resort’s River Course

Rio Grande, Puerto Rico

Feb. 21-23

Par: 72

Yardage: 6,945

4 – Kentucky (284, 853, -11)

T11 – Cooper Musselman (72, 70, 71, 213, -3)

T11 – Tyler ‘Chip’ McDaniel (71, 72, 70, 213, -3)

T27 – Stephen Stallings (70, 68, 78, 216, E)

T39 – David Snyder (70, 74, 74, 220, +4)

T52 – Fred Allen Meyer (81, 74, 69, 224, +8)