March 9, 2015
Michael Johnson is tied for the lead after firing a career low tying 6-under 66 in the Tiger Invitational presented by Jason Dufner second round on Monday.
By Matt Penland
OPELIKA, Ala. - The ninth-ranked Auburn men's golf team stretched its lead at the Tiger Invitational Presented by Jason Dufner by tying the third lowest round in school history with a second round 15-under 273 at the Grand National Lake Course on Monday.
The Tigers at 13-under with a 290-273--563 have a 10-shot lead over Troy (296-277--573) heading into Tuesday's final round. Junior Michael Johnson fired a career tying 6-under 66 to vault into a three-way tie for the lead with a 6-under 138 total. He birded his first three holes as well as Nos. 12, 13, 14, 16 and 18.
"Michael Johnson was phenomenal today and Matt, Ben, Dan and Matthew were very good as well," said head coach Nick Clinard. "They were focused from start to finish. This is our lowest round of the season."
Sophomore Matt Gilchrest is in sixth at 4-under with a 72-68--140 while freshman Ben Schlottman is tied for seventh at 3-under with a 72-69--141. Sophomore Will Long, playing as an individual, is tied for 10th at 2-under, shooting a 4-under second round 68 with five birdies. Senior Dan Stringfellow is tied for 16th with an even-par 74-70--144 while freshman Matthew Perrine is tied for 23rd with a 74-72--146.
Ryan Benton is tied for 19th as an individual with a 75-70--145 while sophomore Blake Messer is tied for 53rd with a 77-75--152 as an individual. Junior Jake Mondy had a second round 75 after having to withdraw from Sunday's opening round.
"I'm very excited with the way our guys played today," said Clinard. "We had four players under par, and that has provided us with some distance in this tournament. It was a complete team effort, and I look for us to build upon it in the final round."
South Alabama is in third at 301-283--584 followed by Georgia State (300-285--585), UNCG (297-288--585), Kansas State (295-292--587), VCU (296-295--591), Tulsa (295-296--591), Santa Clara (303-291--594) and Ole Miss (294-302--596).
Memphis is 11th at 305-296--601 followed by Mississippi State (305-297--602), Chattanooga (304-299--603), Jacksonville State (306-298--604), Mercer (309-298--607) and Akron (311-300--611).
UNCG's Taylor Coalson and Santa Clara's Hayden Shieh share the lead with Johnson at 6-under 138.
The Tiger Invitational Presented by Jason Dufner concludes with 18 holes on Tuesday as Auburn tees off the No. 1 tee at 9:15 am with Troy and South Alabama.
Live-scoring for the tournament can be found on www.golfstat.com. For the most up to date information, follow on Twitter @AUMensGolf or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AUMensGolf.