Clemson Third After Two Rounds Of The Ridges Intercollegiate

Sept. 9, 2000

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn.–Jani Saari recorded two rounds in the 60s in consecutive rounds for the first time in his career, leading Clemson to a 571 team total and a third-place standing after the two rounds of The Ridges Intercollegiate at The Ridges Golf and Country Club.

Saari, a senior from Greenville who had all four of his rounds count at last year’s NCAA tournament, had consecutive rounds of 69 on Saturday. All 14 team played 36 holes on Saturday and the event will conclude with 18 on Sunday. The tournament is the first this year for Larry Penley’s #1 ranked Clemson team.

Saari stands in a tie for third place with his 138 score heading into Sunday. John Engler is another Tiger in the top 10. The senior from Augusta, GA had rounds of 71 and 70 on Saturday and is tied for ninth. A third senior in Clemson’s lineup, Lucas Glover, is tied for 16th after rounds of 69-75.

Clemson’s two sophomores struggled on Saturday. Ben Duncan had rounds of 74-74 and is tied for 42nd, while D.J. Trahan had rounds of 74 and 78 and his 152 score is tied for 65th.

TCU holds the team lead at 559, while South Carolina is second at 565. Clemson is third at 571, followed by Oklahoma and Northwestern at 573. Tennessee and host school East Tennessee State are tied for sixth at 578. Virginia is eighth at 582, while North Florida and Wake Forest are tied for ninth at 583. SMU is 12th at 585, followed by Houston (588), Auburn (589) and North Carolina (595).