Oct. 13, 2008
VESTAVIA HILLS, Ala. - The Auburn men's golf team (287-268--555) jumped five spots in the second round of the Jerry Pate Collegiate Invitational to finish opening day in third at the par-70, 6,934-yard Old Overton Golf Club in Vestavia Hills, Ala., on Monday.
Senior Glenn Northcutt (69-64--133) is tied for the individual lead followed by junior Cole Moreland (74-66--140) and freshman Kyle Kopsick (71-69--140) in a tie for 20th. Redshirt freshman Cory Gilmer (73-64--142) is tied for 27th and freshman John Stembridge (77-69--146) is tied for 41st.
The Tigers finished Monday's opening round with a 7-over 287, leaving them nine shots off first round leaders Southern Methodist and No. 10 Alabama. Senior Glenn Northcutt was the only Tiger to shoot under par with a 1-under 69.
In Auburn's first two events of the season, both second round totals were the highest of each tournament. The Tigers needed a low second round score and delivered with a 12-under 268, the lowest team round of the Jerry Pate thus far.
Northcutt exploded in the second round, carding a blistering 6-under 64, the lowest individual round of the tournament. At 3-under with three holes to go, Northcutt sunk a chip on the par-4 No. 15 for eagle and dropped a birdie on 16 to head in to the clubhouse at 6-under for the round. Northcutt's 7-under, two-round total was good enough to finish day one atop the leader board.
"It was a good afternoon," said head coach Mike Griffin. "We dug ourselves a hole in the first round. We fought back with all five guys going under par in the second round.
"Even with that second round, we only gained one shot on the leader. That's why you can't come out flat in the first round. We still have a long way to go.
"Now that Glenn (Northcutt) is in the lead, he will be in an interesting little battle in his pairing tomorrow. He can't let that get into his head. Obviously that will be a lot of fun to watch."
SMU (278-269--547) is in the lead followed by No. 10 Alabama (278-271--549), Auburn, No. 8 UNLV (282-276--558), North Carolina (283-276--559), No. 5 Baylor (285-277--562), Geogia State (286-278--564), North Florida (285-282--567), UAB (287-282--569), Memphis (289-281--570), NC-Wilmington (300-279--579) and Samford (302-294--596).
Auburn, paired with SMU and Alabama, is set to tee off the front nine at 8:50 a.m. CST.
Northcutt is in the individual lead followed by Alabama's Hunter Hamrick (70-64--134) in second place.
Northcutt, Hamrick and SMU's Kelly Kraft (67-68--135) have been paired together and will tee off at 9:30 a.m. CST.