Clemson, SC—Jonathan Nielsen had a one-over-par 73 on Saturday to lead Clemson in the second round of the Golf Club of Georgia Collegiate at the Lakeside Course in Alpharetta, Ga. Clemson is in 14th place entering the final round in a field that includes 11 Power Five Conference teams, five of whom are ranked in the top 25 in the nation.
The playing conditions were much tougher on Saturday as the stroke average for the field climbed from 71.87 to 73.84. Clemson players had just 10 birdies on Saturday after making 18 on Friday.
East Tennessee State has a six stroke lead at 17-under par, while seventh ranked Washington is in second place at -11. Host school Georgia Tech stands in third at -10.
Clemson got off to a good start on Saturday, playing the first four holes in four-under-par as a team. Kian Rose had three birdies in his first four holes. The team made six birdies over the first four holes, but made just four over the last 14.
Nielsen stands at even-par 144 after two rounds, good enough for 28th place. He was Clemson’s best player at The Blessings in Clemson’s previous event with a sixth place finish. Rose finished with a 74 on Saturday and stands at 153 after two rounds.
Andrew Swanson had a 76 on Saturday after an opening round 70 and his 146 score is second among Tigers and 36th best in the 75-player field. Thomas Higgins had a 76 as well on Saturday and his 148 total after two rounds is tied for 50th in the individual race.
Calahan Keever, Clemson’s top golfer in terms of stroke average entering the tournament had an 80 on Saturday and the former Anderson University All-American stands at 155 after two rounds.
The tournament concludes on Sunday and live scoring is available on golfstat.com.
