Clemson, SC—All four of Clemson’s counting players shot two-under-par on the front nine, each player’s last nine holes of the day, to lead Clemson to a six-under-par team score of 278 and an eighth-place finish out of 13 teams on Tuesday at the third annual Lewis Chitengwa Memorial at the University of Virginia’s Birdwood Course in Charlottesville, Va.
Clemson made a five team improvement on the final day with its six-under par team score that was the second best team score of the day. Clemson’s four counting players included three players who shot under par and one at par.
Clemson now has a 74-67-1 record for the year against the field, including 58-30-1 in the spring. The only tournament left before NCAA regional bids is the ACC Tournament at Charlotte Country Club April 19-22.
The Clemson team counting four players had nine birdies and just one bogey on the front nine, the club’s second nine holes of the day. “It was an important, clutch performance on that second nine, after a difficult day in the second round on Monday,” said head coach Jordan Byrd. Clemson’s 278 score was a 21-shot improvement over its second round.
Senior Jonathan Nielsen, Clemson’s leader in stroke average this year, shot a final round 68 thanks to five birdies and just two bogeys. It was his second round in the tournament in the 60s after scoring 69 in the opening round. He finished with a 213 score for the 54 holes, good enough for 15th place individually on the par 71 course that measures 7116 yards. Nielsen finished the tournament with 13 birdies and an eagle, and a team best 4.50 scoring average on the par five holes.
Andrew Swanson shot a 69 on Tuesday to rank as Clemson’s second best player on Tuesday The junior had four birdies and just two bogeys and had nine holes scores of 33-36 in his final round. He finished 59th with a 223 score over the 54 holes.
Alberto Dominguez was a third Clemson golfer to score under par on Tuesday with a one-under -par 70. Like Nielsen and Swanson, Dominguez shot a 33 on his final nine-holes of the day. He finished at six-over-par 219 for the 54 holes to finish tied for 39th. The senior finished the tournament with nine birdies and an eagle.
Calahan Keever, playing in his first tournament in the Clemson lineup since the fall, was Clemson’s second best player in the tournament with a 216 total for the 54 holes after rounds of 68-77-71. He finished in 27th place overall, his best finish in the Clemson lineup since a 21st place finish at The Blessings back in October. He finished with 11 birdies and a 4.58 scoring average on par five holes at the Chitengwa.
Thomas Higgins shot a final round 76 and finished with a 225 total. Sean Curran played the tournament as an individual and had rounds of 74-70-74 for a 218 total, 34th overall and third among players participating as individuals.
