April 18, 2015
Sophomore Ryan Benton fired a career-low tying 66 and is tied for fifth at 5-under after the SEC Championship second round.
SEA ISLAND, Ga. -- The sixth-ranked Auburn men's golf team is in fifth at 9-under, eight shots off the lead, after the SEC Championship second round at Sea Island Golf Club on Saturday. Tiger freshman Ben Schlottman is fourth at 8-under, three shots back, while sophomore Ryan Benton is tied for fifth at 5-under.
Schlottman birdied four of the last six holes to fire a career-low 5-under 65 while Benton cardied five birdies on his inward nine, including four-straight on holes No. 14-17, for a career-low tying 66. Sophomore All-SEC Matt Gilchrest (71-71--142) and senior Dan Stringfellow (68-74--142) are tied for 33rd at 2-over. Junior Michael Johnson is tied for 52nd with a 72-74--146.
No. 21 Alabama continues to lead at 17-under with a 269-274--543, three shots ahead of No. 9 LSU (274-272--546). No. 4 Vanderbilt (276-274--550) and No. 8 South Carolina n(275-275--550) are tied for third ahead of Auburn. Arkansas (279-275--554) is in sixth followed by Florida (282-276--558), Georgia (282-277--559), Ole Miss (288-278--566), Kentucky (284-284--568), Texas A&M (286-282--568), Missouri (287-283--570), Tennessee (284-292--576) and Mississippi State (289-297--586).
"We were in great position but made some mistakes down the stretch that cost us," said Auburn head coach Nick Clinard. "Ben and Ryan are playing some great golf. They each were exceptional on the back nine. We just need to grind it out tomorrow and make a run and play Auburn golf."
South Carolina's Matthew NeSmith followed his first round 65 with a second round 64 to lead at 11-under, a shot ahead of Alabama's Robby Shelton.
Auburn will tee off in Sunday's final round with South Carolina and Arkansas at 7:20 am CT.
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.