Men's golf remains in 5th at NCAA Regional

Tuesday, May 14

Athens, Ga.

TBA

University of Memphis

2019 NCAA Regional

Brad Bawden shot a 2-over 73 Tuesday and is tied for 7th after 36 holes.

Photo by: American Athletic Conference

May 14, 2019 | Men's Golf

Athens Regional R2 Team Leaderboard Athens Regional R2 Player Leaderboard

Tigers vying to reach NCAA Championship for first time in seven years

ATHENS, Ga. -- The University of Memphis held its grip on fifth place – a key position -- after the second round of the NCAA Athens Regional Tuesday at the UGA Golf Course.

The third and final round will be conducted today with the low five teams advancing to the NCAA Championships May 24-29 at Blessings Golf Club in Fayetteville, Ark.

After 36 holes, 16^th-ranked Georgia, playing on its home course, is the leader at 4-under 564 followed by ninth-ranked Duke (565), fourth-ranked Vanderbilt (570) and No. 22 Liberty (582).

In fifth place is a foursome of Memphis, SMU, Nevada and No 33 Tennessee. Each of those teams is at 17-over 585.

"Today was not our best, but we got some help from some other teams," said Memphis coach Blake Smart. "And, at the end of the day, we are in position to control our own destiny."

The Tigers are attempting to reach the NCAA Championship round for the first time in seven years and can advance providing they remain fifth. Memphis is appearing in a regional for the first time since 2016.

In Tuesday's second round, the Tigers were paced by senior Chase Harris, who shot even-par 71 for a two-day total of 7-over 149. Bradley Bawden, who opened with a 3-under 68, followed with a 73 Tuesday and is at 1-under 141. Nick Giles shot 1-over 72 and Isaiah Jackson had a 77 to complete the UofM scoring.

"We are playing well," Smart said. "The guys are confident and I look forward to my favorite day of the year (the final round of a regional)."

Individually, the Georgia duo of Spencer Ralston and Davis Thompson are the co-leaders at 4-under 138. Three others are one shot back. For the Tigers, Bawden is tied for seventh.

2019 NCAA Division 1 Men's Golf Championships

Event: NCAA Athens Regional
When: May 13-15
Where: University of Georgia Golf Course, Athens, Ga.
Par: 71
Yardage: 7,253
Live Scoring: Golfstat
Teams in the Field (in order of seed): Vanderbilt, Duke, Georgia, Liberty, Alabama, Tennessee, Campbell, Kentucky, Nevada, SMU, Memphis, UNC-Wilmington and Princeton.
Notes: Only two schools (Georgia, Duke) shot under-par scores Tuesday. Duke had the day's best round, firing an 8-under 276. . . . The low five teams and the low individual not on those teams from each regional will advance to the NCAA Championship.