CLEMSON, S.C. — Zack Gordon and Jonathan Nielsen both stand at two-over-par 146 to lead Clemson through two rounds of the ACC men’s golf Tournament at The Country Club of North Carolina in Pinehurst, N.C. The Tigers stand in 10th place in the 12-team tournament through 36 holes with a team score of 589.
The top four teams after Saturday’s third round of stroke play will advance to the match play championship that will determine the overall champion. Georgia Tech leads the tournament at 13-under-par 563, and Wake Forest is second just two shots back at 565. Sixth-ranked Florida State is third at 572 and Duke is fourth at 573. Virginia is fifth at 576 and Louisville is sixth at 577.
Second-ranked North Carolina is seventh at 578 and NC State is eighth at 582. Notre Dame is ninth at 585, four shots ahead of the Tigers who has a 13-over par score. Boston College is 11th at 592 and Virginia Tech is 12th at 594.
All 12 teams and 60 players played 36 holes on Friday on the par 72 course that measures 7,301 yards. The course played much more difficult in the afternoon as the stroke average went from 72.18 to 74.00.
Gordon had an even-par 72 in the first round thanks to six birdies, then had a 74 in the afternoon. The fifth year senior playing in his fourth ACC Tournament stands in 31st place with a 146 score. His nine birdies on Friday led the Clemson team.
Nielsen had consecutive rounds of 73 for his two-over-par 146 to tie Gordon for 31st place. Nielsen had two birdies and three bogeys in his first round and had a 35 on the back. He finished with seven birdies on the day.
Andrew Swanson, Clemson’s leader in stroke average for the year, had rounds of 72 and 75 for a 147 total through two rounds. His three-over-par score is tied for 38th place. He shot a 34 on the front nine in his first round, the best nine hole score by a Tiger on Friday,
Alberto Dominguez had a pair of 75s on Friday and stands in 47th place, while sophomore Kian Rose had rounds of 77 and 76 for a 153 total.
Clemson will begin the final round of stroke play off the 10th tee at 8:30 a.m. and will play with Boston College and Virginia Tech.
