Kent State University
Jack Nicklaus Invitational
Golden Flashes in Fifth at Jack Nicklaus Invitational
9/28/2014 8:34:00 PM | Men's Golf
COLUMBUS, Ohio- The Kent State University men's golf team is tied for fifth place after the first two rounds of the Jack Nicklaus Invitational at the par-71 Scarlet Course at The Ohio State University Golf Club. The third and final round is on Monday. The Golden Flashes are 17-over 585 and are being led by freshman Chase Johnson, who is even par (142) and sitting in fourth place in the individual standings.
Kent State is just 11 strokes behind Ohio State, who is leading the tournament with 6-over 574. Purdue is following in second at 12-over 580, and ETSU is in third with a 14-over 582. For complete team and individual results, go to www.birdiefire.com.
"It's a big day tomorrow," said Head Men's Golf Coach Herb Page. "We aren't completely out of it. I think we have gained more confidence each week. It was a little sloppy around the greens today, and there is a lot of room for improvement. We are going in the right direction."
Johnson, who carded an even par (72-70-142) to sit in fourth on the leaderboard, is just two strokes behind first-place Matt Green from Kansas State (67-73-140). The Barberton, Ohio, native has been a consistent force for the Golden Flashes, and is fresh off a seventh place finish at the prestigious Inverness Intercollegiate less than a week ago. Johnson tallied four bogeys in the first round but was able to finish just one-over with three birdies. He picked it up in round two and carded five birdies and four bogeys to finish even par.
Senior Taylor Zoller (Charleston, S.C.) had a solid round for the Golden Flashes and is just four strokes out of first place. Zoller shot 4-over (73-71-144) and is in eighth place in the individual standings. He was 2-over after the first 18 holes and played well in the second round to go even par after birdying four of the final seven holes.
Rounding out the scoring for Kent State was Ian Holt (76-74=150) who finished 8-over and is in 39th, Sebastian Bendsen (74=77=151) is 9-over and in 42nd, and Spencer Dobbs (77-75=152) is in 43rd at 10-over. Josh Whalen (74-73-147) played as an individual today and was 5-over.
Team Standings: 1. Ohio State 283-291=574; 2. Purdue 288-292=580; 3. East Tennessee State 294-288=582; 4. Georgia Regents 296-287=583; T5. Troy 302-283=585; T5. Kent State 295-290=585; T5. Tulsa 286-299=585; 8. Miami (Ohio) 298-296=594; 9. Pepperdine 295-303=598; 10. Middle Tennessee State 304-295=599; 11. Kansas State 298-304=602; 12. Northern Illinois 305-300=605.
Top Individuals: 1. Matt Green (Kansas State) 67-73=140; T2. Stuart MacDonald (Purdue) 72-69=141; T2. Tee-k Kelly (Ohio State) 70-71=141; T4. Chase Johnson (Kent State) 72-70=142; T4. Grant Weaver (Ohio State) 70-72=142; T4. Adrian Meronk (East Tennessee State) 68-74=142.
