May 28, 2008
The third-seeded Wake Forest men's golf team posted a 26-over 314 in the first round of the NCAA Championship to end day one in 24th place at Purdue. Thirty teams enter the NCAA Championships but only the top 15 after Friday's third round will qualify for the final round on Saturday. Webb Simpson led the Deacons Wednesday with a one-over 73 on the par-72, 7,450-yard Kampen Course. The senior, who is tied for seventh place, entered the tournament with the second-lowest NCAA Championship stroke average in program history. Simpson brought a 72.80 stroke average in NCAA Championship play into this year's event. The Raleigh-native is the top scorer for the Deacs on the season at 70.3 strokes per 18 holes. Simpson, who posted three birdies on the day, trails leader Kevin Chappell of UCLA by four strokes entering Thursday's second round. Brendan Gielow was the No. 2 finisher for the Deacs as the sophomore posted a seven-over 79 Wednesday. Gielow, coming off a second-place finish at the NCAA Central Regional, stands tied for 87th place. Gielow is playing in his second career NCAA Championship. He finished seven over par in last season's championship in Williamsburg, Va. Dustin Groves, who posted his best finish of the season at the regional in Columbus, Ohio, carded an eight-over 80 in the first round. The junior is currently 100th. Groves is competing in his second NCAA Championship. Sophomore Travis Wadkins shot a 10-over 82 in his first career NCAA Championship round. Senior Chris McCartin, in his fourth straight appearance at the championship, carded a 12-over 84 Wednesday.
Wake has not shot over 310 as a team at the NCAA Championship since the 1980 tournament at Ohio State's Scarlet Course. The Deacs are trying for their fourth title in program history. Pac-10 rivals Southern California and UCLA lead the field at nine over par. Clemson is currently tied for fourth place after posting a 13-over 301 Wednesday. Virginia is in 21st at 24 over par. Live scoring and course statistics will be available for the second round at Golfstat.com. Wake will tee-off at 7 a.m. Thursday and again will join Southern Cal and Georgia for the round. A high of 72 degrees with a 20 percent chance of rain has been projected for West Lafayette Thursday by Weather.com. -WakeForestSports.com- |
