Sept. 12, 2009
Carpet Capital Tournament Central
Live Results at GolfStat.com
DALTON, Ga. - Sophomore Kyle Kopsick (1-over) fired a two-under 70 during Saturday's second round of the Carpet Capital Collegiate, jumping from an individual tie for 31st into the top-15. Auburn (293-586) carded a second-consecutive 293 to remain tied for seventh.
Sophomore John Stembridge (1-under) maintained his top-10 position, set to enter Sunday's final round six strokes off Georgia's Russell Henley (7-under) in the individual lead.
"We made some silly mistakes," said Auburn head golf coach Nick Clinard. "The only team beating us right now is ourselves. We had probably seven three-putts in there. If we can cut out the simple mistakes and have a solid round tomorrow, we can move into the top three."
Kopsick (70-145) had a stumble through the front nine, making the turn at four-over but stormed back. An eagle on No. 12, a downhill par-5, highlighted a run that also included four birdies.
"Kyle Kopsick absolutely turned it on for the back nine," said Clinard. "John Stembridge came out with a quick slip on the back nine but recovered nicely. You always want your players to do that in those situations. I was extremely happy to see that."
Stembridge (74-143) finished the day tied for eighth, followed by Kopsick (70-145) in a tie for 14th. Redshirt freshman David Zickler (72-148) carded the Tigers' second lowest round on the day to move into a tie for 29th. Redshirt freshman Jackson Beindorf (77-151) finished tied for 41st with sophomore Will McCurdy (77-152) tied for 44th.
"We've got a real good shot of getting into the top-three of this tournament," said Kopsick. "If we all just shave a couple of strokes every round, we can get there. We've got to get out of our own way and stop throwing away strokes."
Chattanooga (284-575) holds the team lead followed by No. 18 Tennessee (287-577), No. 15 South Carolina (293-583), No. 3 Alabama (294-583), Wake Forest (287-585), No. 11 Georgia Tech (290-585), Auburn, No. 24 Texas Tech (284-586), No. 4 Georgia (294-586), East Tennessee State (295-599), No. 19 Clemson (305-595) and Ole Miss (295-599).
Trailing Henley (66-137) for the individual lead are Georgia's Harris English (68-139) and Ole Miss' Jonathan Randolph (71-139).
The Tigers will tee off the back nine at 7:50 a.m. CST with Texas Tech and Georgia. Complete results will be available at www.GolfStat.com. Tournament central for the Carpet Capital Collegiate can be accessed via www.RamblingWreck.com.