Oct. 3, 2010
TAMPA - The 15th-ranked Auburn men's golf team (-6) held its ground in Sunday's final round of the Gary Koch Invitational, carding a final round 286 to retain second place at the Old Memorial Golf Club in Tampa, Fla.
Sophomore Michael Hebert (75-213) led the Tigers in a tie for eighth after a strong opening day showing left him at 6-under par and tied for fourth. Junior Will McCurdy (72-214) and freshman Niclas Carlsson (71-214) tied for 12th followed by sophomore Blayne Barber (69-220) in 27th and junior Kyle Kopsick (74-225) in 38th.
Auburn's hot streak of the day came from Barber, who after dropping a double-bogey to the 670-yard No. 3, responded with six consecutive birdies to close out the front nine.
"We put ourselves in a bad position in the opening round but responded and played like we know we can from that point on," said Auburn head coach Nick Clinard. "Today we came out on the front nine with confidence and finished the tournament with a strong team round.
"I'm proud of Blayne (Barber) for responding with an impressive string of birdies after struggling through the first two rounds. Michael (Hebert) and Will (McCurdy) played two great rounds apiece that kept us in the running. I'm especially happy for Niclas (Carlsson) who earned a 12th-place finish in his first collegiate outing."
The Tigers led the 12-team field in par-4 scoring as the only team to score under par through the tournament, averaging 3.98 strokes per attempt. Auburn also blew away the competition in total birdies with 63 - 12 more than Virginia in second.
Carlsson led the team in par-4 scoring, averaging 3.80, while Barber led the field in birdies with 16.
No. 25 Virginia (293-849) claimed the team title followed by Auburn, North Florida (285-866), UNCG (287-868), No. 18 Florida State (298-870), Middle Tennessee (296-874), Coastal Carolina (299-877), Charleston (299-882), Georgia Southern (294-884), North Carolina (303-886), Kentucky (297-894) and South Florida (311-919).
Virginia's Ben Kohles (75-207) claimed medalist honors after shooting 12-under through the opening 36 holes of play.
The Tigers return to action Oct. 11-12 at the Jerry Pate Invitational in Birmingham.