TEMPE, Ariz. – The Commodore men’s golf team shot a second-round 286 on Friday and are in 11th place at the NCAA Tempe Regional with a total of 569 (283-286), with junior Charlie Ewing and freshman Zack Jaworski leading the way for Vanderbilt with a pair of even-par 70’s. The Commodores trail fifth-place Duke and Arizona State by 11 strokes, with the top five teams from the 14-team regional advancing to the NCAA Championships May 28-June 2 in Atlanta.
Sophomore Hunter Stewart, who shot a first-round 68 on Thursday, carded a three-over 73 on Friday at the ASU Karsten Course and is Vanderbilt’s top finisher after two rounds with a score of 141 (68-73), which ties him for 25th. Ewing and Jaworski are tied for 32nd at 142, sophomore Ben Fogler is in a tie for 44th with a 144 total (71-73) and fellow sophomore Jordan Janico is in a tie for 68th with a score of 150 (77-73).
“I really thought we got off to a good start today,” said Vanderbilt head coach Scott Limbaugh. “We had all five in it and that’s important for us. Unfortunately, we were not able to sustain any momentum and take advantage of perfect scoring conditions. We really got kind of sloppy on our back nine and that’s the first time we have done that in a while. Tomorrow is another opportunity and we will be excited and ready to play. This group has proven to be resilient all year and I don’t anticipate anything different heading into the final round.”
Number-one seed UCLA continues to lead the regional after shooting a seven-under, 273, on Friday. The Bruins, with a 541, 19-under par total (268-273), lead second-place UCF by 11 strokes. Georgia is in third place at six under, 554 (280-274), Texas A&M is in fourth with a 557, and Arizona State and Duke are tied for fifth with a 558.
A pair of UCF Knights are atop the individual leader board, with Greg Eason in the clubhouse with a 12-under, 128 (65-63), six strokes better than his teammate, Ricardo Gouveia.
The final round of the Tempe Regional concludes on Saturday.
11. Vanderbilt – 283-286=569
T25. Hunter Stewart – 68-73=141
T32. Charlie Ewing – 72-70=142
T32. Zack Jaworski – 72-70=142
T44. Ben Fogler – 71-73=144
T66. Jordan Janico – 77-73=150
