Clemson in First at Puerto Rico

Feb. 22, 2004

Clemson, SC – Jack Ferguson, Gregg Jones and Matt Hendrix all shot under-par rounds to lead Clemson to a seven-under-par team score of 281 and a two-shot lead after one round of the Puerto Rico Classic in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The 54-hole event continues on Monday and Tuesday at the par 72, Rio Mar Country Club courses. The 18 college teams played the River Course on Sunday.

Ferguson, a junior who was a second-team All-American last year, shot a 67 on Sunday and stands in second place in the individual race behind Jason Hartwick of Texas. Ferguson had nine-hole scores of 34-33.

Jones and Hendrix, both red-shirt seniors, had rounds of 70 and stand in a tie for fifth place. Jones had nine-hole scores of 35-35, while Hendrix had scores of 36-34. Jones entered the tournament as Clemson’s top player with a 71.29 stroke average, while Hendrix was second at 71.36. Only 14 players in the 90-player field broke par and three of the five play for Clemson.

Brent Delahoussaye and Brian Duncan both shot two-over-par rounds of 74 in the opening round. Delahoussaye shot a 38 on the opening nine before finishing with an even par 36. Duncan started slowly with a 39, then came back with a one-under-par 35 on the back nine.

Clemson holds a two-shot lead over Oklahoma. Minnesota and Texas were the only other teams to reach even par on the 6931-yard course as the two former NCAA champions shot a 288. Florida stood fifth at 289 and Georgia was sixth at 290. Oklahoma State, who finished second in the NCAA National championship race to Clemson a year ago, stood tied for seventh with Virginia at 292.

Kent State and NC State were tied for ninth at 293, while future ACC school Virginia Tech was 11th at 295. Georgia Tech was 12th at 296, while host school Purdue was tied for 13th with Duke at 300. East Tennessee State was 15th at 304, while Illinois and Northwestern were tied for 16th at 306. Michigan shot a 31 over par 319 and was in 18th place.