Clemson Remains Fourth After 2 Rounds of Puerto Rico Classic

Feb. 24, 2003

El Grande, Puerto Rico-Gregg Jones fired a second round 69 to lead Clemson to its second straight 293 team score and a fourth-place standing after two rounds of the Puerto Rico Classic. The 54-hole event will conclude on Tuesday at the par 72 Westin Rio Mar Beach Resort and Country Club.

Jones was the only Clemson player under par. The winds continued to swirl on Monday and there was some rain, making scores higher than normal. Through two days of play only seven individual are under par. Three of the seven are NC State players. Fernando Merchereffe fired his second consecutive round of 69 and his 138 total is two strokes ahead of Wolfpack teammate Justin Walters, who shot his second straight 70. Stephen Lewton is third overall with a 141 total after a 71 on Monday.

Jones is tied for fifth after two rounds thanks to rounds of 74 and 69. His score on Monday was his low round of the year so far. He is tied with Simon Nash and Justin Smith, both players from defending national champion Minnesota.

It was a tough day for Clemson All-American D.J. Trahan. The reigning national player of the year shot a 76, seven shots higher than his opening round 69. He was the co-leader after the first day, but dropped to 11th place after two rounds.

Clemson’s second best golfer on Monday was sophomore Jack Ferguson, who had an even par 72. He is tied for 28th with teammate Matt Hendrix, who had a 76 on Monday after an opening 73. Ben Duncan shot a 76 on Monday after an opening round 77.

NC State holds a three-stroke lead entering the final round. The Pack stands at 574, two-under-par. NC State is the only team under par after two rounds. Minnesota is second at 577, while Oklahoma State is third at 580.

Clemson is fourth with a 586 total after consecutive team rounds of 293. Texas is fifth at 587, while Georgia Tech is sixth at 590. Tech shot a 289 total on Monday, 12 strokes better than its first round. Florida is seventh at 591.

The tournament concludes with 18 holes on Tuesday at the 6945-yard ocean front course. Clemson has finished first or second in six consecutive tournaments, a school record. That streak is in jeopardy entering the final round.

Clemson at Puerto Rico Classic