Tigers Finish Fourth At San Juan Shootout

Feb. 29, 2000

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – Freshman D.J. Trahan fired a two-under-par 70 on Tuesday to lead Clemson to a fourth-place finish at the San Juan Shootout at the Rio Mar Country Club in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Georgia Tech won the event with an 853 team score, 11-under-par, while Clemson was fourth, eight strokes back.

Northwestern was second with an 857 score, while NC State was third at 859. After Clemson’s fourth place score of 861, Georgia, the defending NCAA champion was fifth at 866.

Trahan had rounds of 68-76-70 in finishing in eighth place with a 214 score. He was seven shots behind individual champion Luke Donald of Northwestern, who had a three-stroke victory with a 207 total.

It was the second top 10 finish of the year for Trahan, who finished sixth with a 214 score at the Golfweek Preview back in September. Among the player Trahan was tied with was Georgia Tech All-American Bryce Molder. Molder was the individual leader after 36 holes, but shot a 77 on Tuesday.

John Engler and Lucas Glover, a pair of junior All-Americans for Larry Penley’s team, had a 216 score for he event, even par. Both shot 72 on Tuesday and finished in a tie for 15th place. Clemson All-American Jonathan Byrd struggled on Tuesday, shooting a 78. It was his first round of the year over 74 when playing for the Tigers and his worst round in 17 regular season tournaments dating back to 1998. Still, he shot a 218 for the tournament, just two over par and he finished tied for 18th.

Junior Jani Saari fired a 224 score for the 54-hole event, including a 76 on Tuesday. Despite a 50th place finish, Saari’s score counted two of the three days. Clemson will next take to the links March 10-12 when the Tigers travel to Las Vegas for the Golf Digest Invitational.

Clemson at San Juan Shootout