BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – With a trio of players in the top 20 of the individual standings, the University of South Alabama men’s golf team is in a tie for fourth place after the first day of the Jerry Pate National Intercollegiate Monday.

Jack Hiluta fired a season-low 2-under-par 68 in the second of two rounds at the at the 7,204-yard, par-70 Old Overton Country Club to lead the Jaguars, as he will enter the final day in a tie for sixth place with an even-par 140 total.

Blake Kelley used an even-par 70 over the event’s opening 18 holes on his way to posting a 142 two-round total, with Christian Blanchet one stroke behind him after a second-round 71, to stand tied for 12th and 16th, respectively.

The Jags are tied with UNLV for fourth place in the field of 12 schools with a 572 total over the 36 holes.

“I’m really proud of the guys, they came out and fought today,” stated USA head coach Ben Hannan.  “And in each of our rounds, we were under par as a team through 12, 13, 14 holes; we would be in a very strong position if we had closed a little better.  But it’s the best start we’ve had this season, we are definitely getting better.”

USA began the first round on No. 10 and started the second 18 holes on the first tee.

Hiluta had birdies on three of the first four holes in afternoon, then added three more on the first five holes after making the turn to get as low as 3-under par.  The senior also recorded two birdies and a pair of bogeys on the front side in the first round, getting to 3-under par after birdying the first, fifth and sixth holes.  He would finish with a 72 over the opening 18 holes.

Kelley began the tournament with birdies on holes No. 12 and 13 to go 2-under par, and he eagled the 331-yard par-four sixth by driving the green and then sinking the 10-foot putt to finish the first round at even par.  He began the second round with birdies on three of first five holes before ending up with a 72.

In the afternoon round, Blanchet carded birdies on No. 1 and No. 5, then aced the 214-yard seventh with a five iron to make the turn 2-under par.  He added one more birdie on the back side to complete the round 1-over par.  The senior had a 72 over the first 18 holes, making the turn at even par with one birdie, adding another on No. 9 to end round.

McLain Leberte’s lone birdie in the opening round came on the par-four No. 4, as he carded a 73, but was 2-under after the first two holes in afternoon after opening with back-to-back birdies.  He would tack on a three at the par-four 11th hole in ending with a 74 — Leberte has a 147 36-hole score and is tied for 31st.

Chris Piumelli is tied for 40th place three shots behind Leberte, as he birdied the 15th hole both times he played it.  He also had birdies on the fifth and ninth holes in the second round, recording scores of 74 and 76.

Top-ranked Florida was under par in both of the day’s rounds, recording a 6-under-par 554 total to enter the final 18 holes a pair of strokes ahead of No. 23 Auburn.  Sixth-ranked Alabama, the tournament host, is the only other school below par with a 559 36-hole score.

The Tigers’ Niclas Carlsson used rounds of 6-under-par 64 and 68 for an 8-under-par 132 total to take a one-shot lead over the Crimson Tide’s Bobby Wyatt.  Only five of the 60 players in the field ended the second round with a 36-hole score below par.

The final round of the tournament will start at 8 a.m. Tuesday.

For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com.  Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).

—USA—

Jerry Pate National Intercollegiate
Old Overton Country Club, Birmingham, Ala.
Par 70, 7,204 yards
Team Scores: 1) Florida 278-276—554 (-6); 2) Auburn 275-281—556; 3) Alabama 281-278—559; T4) South Alabama 287-285—572; T4) UNLV 279-293—572; 6) Mississippi State 296-286—582; 7) Memphis 299-284—583; 8) UAB 289-297—586; 9) SMU 296-294—590; 10) Southern Mississippi 296-299—595; 11) Samford 298-298—596; 12) Georgia State 303-295—598.

Individual Leaders: 1) Niclas Carlsson, Aub 64-68—132 (-8); 2) Bobby Wyatt, Bama 64-69—133; 3) Tyler McCumber, UF 70-65—135; 4) Bank Vongvanij, UF 66-71—137; 5) Phillip Chio, UF 70-68—138; T6) Jack Hiluta, USA 72-68—140; T6) Blake Biddle. UNLV 70-70—140; T6) Michael Hebert, Aub 70-70—140; T6) Bud Cauley, Bama 74-66—140; T10) two individuals with 141.

South Alabama Scores: T6) Jack Hiluta 72-68—140 (E); T12) Blake Kelley 70-72—142; T16) Christian Blanchet 72-71—143; T31) McLain Leberte 73-74—147; T40) Chris Piumelli 74-76—150.