FRANKLIN, Tenn. – Both Christian Blanchet and David Leathem are among the top 30 individually after the conclusion of Saturday’s second round of the Mason Rudolph Invitational, as the two each shot a 72 to pace the University of South Alabama men’s golf team in its second tournament of the season.
Blanchet is tied for 25th place with a 1-over-par 143 total, with Leathem one shot behind in a tie for 29th.
“Christian continues to play well,” said Jag head coach Ben Hannan. “He did not hit the ball well from tee to green, but he competed hard and stayed in there.
“I’m real happy for David, he’s been working hard battling back from an injury,” he continued. “It’s nice to see that he is being rewarded, hopefully he will go out and close well.”
Jack Hiluta carded a 73 for the second day in a row at the par-71, 7,100-yard Vanderbilt Legends Club South Course and is in a tie for 39th place, as did Blake Kelley. Chris Piumelli and Chris Bockstael both recorded a 76 in the middle of three rounds.
Jack Belote of Memphis was first in the field of 90 at the end of the second round after following up a 66 with a 2-under-par 69. He leads South Carolina’s Blaine Woodruff by one stroke, with a total of 16 players below par entering the final 18 holes.
Memphis shot even par as a team on the day, and will take a six-shot advantage into the final round with a 10-under-par 558 score. USC was the only team to shoot below par in the second round to move into second, with Oklahoma and Mississippi also under par for the event. The Jaguars posted a 294 score for the second straight day, and are 13th out of 17 schools in the team standings.
The final round of the tournament will tee off at 8 a.m. Sunday.
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—
Mason Rudolph Championship
Vanderbilt Legends Club South Course, Franklin, Tenn.
Par 71, 7,100 yards
Team Scores: 1) Memphis 274-284—558 (-10); 2) South Carolina 285-279—564; 3) Oklahoma 274-292—566; 4) Mississippi 282-285—567; 5) Vanderbilt 285-286—571; 6) Chattanooga 290-282—572; 7) Davidson 287-287—574; T8) Akron 289-287—576; T8) Middle Tennessee 292--284—576; 10) Mississippi State 292-290—582; 11) Arkansas State 293-290—583; 12) Western Carolina 294-293—587; 13) South Alabama 294--294—588; 14) Tennessee-Martin 302-288—590; 15) Georgia State 306-287—593; 16) Belmont 301-296—571; 17) Lipscomb 297-315—612.
Individual Leaders: 1) Jack Belote, Mem 66-69—135 (-7); 2) Blaine Woodruff, USC, 69-67—136; T3) Richard Fountain, DC 71-68—139; T3) Charlie Grace, VU 68-71—139; T3) Will Kropp, OU 65-74—139; T3) Joe David, Miss 70-69—139; 7) Wesley Bryan, USC 71-69—140; T8) nine players with 141.
South Alabama Scores: T25) Christian Blanchet 71-72—143 (+1); T29) David Leathem* 72-72—144; T38) Jack Hiluta 73-73—146; T58) Blake Kelley 76-73—149; T66) Chris Piumelli 74-76—150; T81) Chris Bockstael 80-76—156.
*denotes competing as an individual
