Jordan Byrd Has three Shot Lead at South Carolina Amateur

Aug. 5, 2006

Clemson, SC – Clemson Assistant Golf Coach Jordan Byrd has a three-shot lead heading into Sunday’s final round of the South Carolina Amateur at the Palmetto Golf Club in Aiken, SC. Byrd has a 54-hole score of 206, three shots better than Clemson sophomore Phillip Mollica, Jeff Goff and George Bryan IV.

Byrd has fired rounds of 69-9-68, the only player in the field to score in the 60s on the par 70 course in each of the first three rounds. His round on Saturday included an eagle two on a par 4 fifth hole that is 458 yards in length. That eagle contributed to his 31 on the front side on Saturday. It was the second consecutive day Byrd had an eagle on a par four. He scored a two on the 402-yard fourth hole on Friday.

Mollica has had rounds of 69-69-71 in scoring 209 through three rounds. It sets up the unusual situation on Sunday where coach will be competing against pupil, as Mollica is coached by Jordan Byrd in his job as Clemson assistant coach. Clemson golfers won the South Carolina Amateur every year between 1997-02, but no Tiger has won the tournament since D.J. Trahan in 2002. Clemson Head Coach Larry Penley won the tournament in 1987 and 1988.

Byrd is the brother of PGA Tour player Jonathan Byrd, who was an All-American at Clemson from 1997-2000. A victory on Sunday would give Jordan an advantage in this event over his brother. Jonathan never won the South Carolina Amateur.

Ben Martin is the only other current Clemson golfer who made the cut. He had a 73 on Saturday and is in 39th position entering the final round at eight over par 218.