Clemson Improves to Sixth Place at Southern Highlands Invitational

March 10, 2007

Clemson, SC-Anderson, SC native Phillip Mollica shot a three-under-par 69, one of just two rounds in the 60s by the 81-player field on Saturday, to lead Clemson to a 296 team score and a sixth-place standing after two rounds of the Southern Highlands Intercollegiate in Las Vegas, NV. The Tigers made a six-place improvement with their 296 team score, the second best team score on the day behind host school UNLV, who shot a 291 on Saturday.

Clemson and the other 14 schools will conclude the 54-hole event on Sunday on the Southern Highlands Course. Clemson is ranked seventh in the latest Sagarin poll and is one of 11 top 20 teams in the 15-team field.

Georgia is in first place with a 584 team score, nine shots ahead of the Tigers. UCLA stands in second at 587, followed by Florida at 591. Arizona and Texas A&M are tied for fourth at 592, while Clemson, UNLV and Georgia Tech are all tied for sixth at 593. Minnesota is ninth at 595, while defending NCAA Champion Oklahoma State is 10th at 596.

Mollica made a nine-shot improvement on Saturday. The sophomore had birdies on 10,12 and 13 going out, and then #7 and #8 over his final three holes of the day. He had just two bogeys on the par 72 course that is 7,510 yards in length.

Mollica and Brett Kanda of UNLV were the only two players in the 60s on the day as both shot three-under par 69s. Ironically, both are ranked as the number-five players on their respective teams. Mollica jumped over 52 players with his performance on Saturday as he improved from 70th after the first round to 18th after the second round.

Clemson and UNLV were the only two schools to improve their second day team score over the first day. Mollica was the only Tiger to break 75 on Saturday. Teammate and classmate David May had a 75 on Saturday, three shots better than he had on Friday. He played a solid round with the exception of the 16th hole, which he triple bogeyed.

Clemson’s second best player for the tournament threw two rounds is Greenwood, SC native Ben Martin, who had a 72 in the first round and a 76 in the second round. He had a wild ride on Saturday with five birdies, five bogeys, two double bogeys and just six pars.

Sam Saunders had a four-over-par 76 on Saturday, his high score of the year. He had a two-under par 34 on the back nine, his first nine of the day, but had a 42 on the front nine. Still he stands in 32nd place after two rounds with scores of 74 and 76.

Tanner Ervin, who had a 73 on Friday, shot a 78 on Saturday. His round was ruined by a triple bogey eight on the third hole. He stands in 37th place after two rounds at 151.