Clemson Improves to Seventh at Ping Preview

Oct. 3, 2006

Clemson, SC-Freshmen Ben Martin and Kyle Stanley both shot one-under par rounds of 69 to lead Clemson to a seventh-place standing after two rounds of the Ping Preview in Williamsburg, VA. The Tigers have a total of 572 through two days and 36 holes of play, 14 shots behind first place Oklahoma State and Florida. The 54-hole event is being played at The Golden Horseshoe, the site of the 2007 NCAA Championships next May.

Clemson improved from 10th place after the first day when Larry Penley’s team shot a 10 over par 290. The Tigers had a two-over-par 282 on Tuesday, the fourth best team score of the day. Clemson trails sixth place Arizona State by one shot and fifth place Georgia by three entering tomorrow’s final round.

Clemson is the highest ranking team among ACC teams in the 15-team tournament. Georgia Tech is in 12th place after a 287 team score on Tuesday. Wake Forest is 14th after a 291 on Tuesday to go with an opening round of 295 on the par 70 Golden Horseshoe course. Eleven of the top 15 teams in the nation are in the 15-team field.

Clemson made a strong move on its opening nine, the back nine on the course. The Tigers turned four-under-par, but played the front nine, the team’s second nine of the day, in six over par. But, that was the case for many teams, as the front nine has played more difficult during the tournament.

Martin was an example of that, as he shot a four-under par 31 on the back nine, then shot a three over par 38 on the front to finish with a 69. The native of Greenwood, SC had five bogeys on the front nine after having made four birdies on the back. Still his second straight 69 and 138 total for 36 holes stands in a tie for fourth place individually.

Stanley, had a consistent day with three birdies, and just two bogeys in also firing a 69. The rookie from the state of Washington improved from 46th to 20th in the individual standings and is at 143 after 36 holes, three over par. His only bogeys were on the fifth and sixth holes.

Tanner Ervin was Clemson’s third best golfer on Tuesday with a one over par 71. Ervin was one under par for his first 16 holes, but had a double bogey on the seventh hole, his 16th of the day. He stands in 43rd place at 146 after two rounds.

David May and Vince Hatfield both had rounds of 73 on Tuesday. Hatfield opened with a 72 so his 145 total stands in 34th place. He had a double bogey on the second hole that hurt his score. May had a double bogey on the fifth hole.