March 24, 2008
Live Scoring
The No. 14 Wake Forest men's golf team fell one spot Monday into eleventh place after carding a 13-over 297 in the second round of the Hootie at Bulls Bay Intercollegiate in windy Awendaw, S.C.
For the Deacs to three-peat as the Hootie champions, they must overcome a 22-stroke advantage held by tournament co-host South Carolina.
"We're just not making putts. We need to have a better attitude and make some putts," Wake Forest head coach Jerry Haas said. "We're not having our best week."
Webb Simpson maintained his second-place spot after posting an even-par 71 Monday, three shots off his first round 68. The senior trails NC State's Matt Hill by one stroke heading into Tuesday's final round.
Simpson is trying to win individual honors for the second time this season and his first in team competition. The Raleigh-native won the Western Refining All-America Golf Classic in November as an individual.
Brendan Gielow is tied for 37th after shooting a five-over 74 in the second round. The sophomore led the team in birdies Monday with three but recorded three bogeys and a double bogey on the back nine.
Chris McCartin was one stroke off his first round score as the senior finished the second round with a four-over 75 to land in a tie for 50th.
Sophomore Travis Wadkins carded a seven-over 78 Monday to slide nine spots into a tie for 68th.
Dustin Groves was the lone Deacon golfer to improve his score from the first round. The junior finished tied for 71st after posting a six-over 77.
"The wind has been a big factor and the greens have been bumpy," Haas said. "The teams that aren't doing well aren't making putts."
NC State shot the best round of the day, a five-under 279 to jump from seventh place to second. Clemson is currently third after an even-par 284.
The Deacs overcame a 16-stroke deficit two weeks ago to win the General Jim Hackler Championship in Myrtle Beach.
"We look forward to the round. Our guys know they can come back," Haas said. "We just have to play better and get more consistent."
Wake will tee-off at 9:40 a.m. for Tuesday's final round.
A high of 63 degrees and clear skies has been projected for Awendaw by weather.com. Frost delayed tee-offs Monday and could potentially be a factor Tuesday as temperatures will be in the upper 30s at tee time.
