Luke Hopkins Has Five-Shot Lead at South Carolina Amateur

Aug. 4, 2007

Clemson, SC – Clemson sophomore golfer Luke Hopkins has a five-shot advantage entering the final round of the South Carolina Amateur at the par 72 Country Club of South Carolina in Florence, SC. Hopkins, who red-shirted last season with Larry Penley’s program, is one of four active players and one coach in the 25 entering the final round.

Hopkins had rounds of 70-65-70 so far for an 11-under-par 205 score through54 holes. He has a five-shot lead over Rich Cloninger of Fort Mill, SC. Hopkins got off to a great start on Saturday with a birdie on the par five second hole and an eagle on the par five sixth. He also had birdies on the 12th and 14th holes on the back nine.

Hopkins is attempting to become the first Clemson golfer to win the South Carolina Amateur since 2002 when D.J. Trahan won his second straight tournament. A Clemson golfer won the event every year from 1997 through 2002 as Charles Warren took the title in 1997, Lucas Glover from 1998-2000 and Trahan in 2001 and 2002. Current Clemson Head Coach Larry Penley won the South Carolina Amateur in 1987 and 1988.

Clemson senior Zack Siefert stands in seventh place in the standings entering the final round with a 214 score, two under par. Phillip Mollica, the North-South Amateur Champion, is 15th at 216. Clemson assistant golf coach Ben Martin is 25th with a 219 total. Tanner Ervin, who was in the top 15 entering Saturday’s round, withdrew.