Men’s Golf Leads Puerto Rico Shootout

February 22, 1999

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – Clemson’s number-one ranked golf team continued to play like a number-one team in the second round of the Puerto Rico Shootout in San Juan. Larry Penley’s Tigers shot a team round of 276, 12-under-par for the round and will have a two-stroke lead over Georgia Tech heading into Tuesday’s final round.

All five Clemson golfers shot 70 or better, a first in Clemson golf history. Elliot Gealy led the way on Monday with a 67, tying his career low round, while Jonathan Byrd shot a 69, seven strokes better than his first round. Clemson had to throw out a 70, the first time since the 1987 Palmetto Classic in Santee, SC that Clemson has thrown out an under-par score.

Freshman Michael Hoey continues to be the top Tiger. The native of Ireland had a 70 on Monday and has a two-day total of 137, good enough for second place. David Christensen of East Tennessee State holds a one-stroke lead over Hoey.

John Engler shot his second consecutive 70 on day two and stands in a tie for seventh place at 140. Gealy’s 67 also gives him a 140 after two rounds and a #7 standing. Lucas Glover shot a 70 on Monday and stands at 12th place with a 141 score. Byrd is 27th with a 145 total.

Clemson has a 557 total after 36 holes. Monday’s round was played on the Ocean Course and the field will return to the River Course on Tuesday for the final round. The Tigers have the two stroke lead over Georgia Tech, who has a 559 total. Georgia is a distance third with a 571 score, while East Tennessee State is fourth at 572.

Minnesota of the Big Ten is fifth along with ACC foe NC State at 576. Texas stands in seventh place with a 577 score. Number-one ranked player David Gossett is at 138 after two days, tied for third. North Carolina is ninth at 580, Wake Forest is 10th at 590, Virginia is 11th at 596 and Duke is 12th at 598. Florida State, a seventh ACC school in the field, is at 604, 14th position in the 18-team field.

Clemson after 2 rounds at San Juan Shootout

Michael Hoey        67-70   137  2ndJohn Engler         70-70   140  7thElliot Gealy        73-67   140  7thLucas Glover        71-70   141  12thJonathan Byrd       76-69   145  27thTEAM              281-276   557  1st