May 21, 2004

NEW HAVEN, Conn. – The South Carolina men’s golf team improved its play in the second round, but fell two spots into 16th place after 36 holes of play at the NCAA East Regional in New Haven, Conn. The 54-hole tournament is being contested at the par-70, 6,749-yard Course at Yale. The top-10 teams from the event will advance to the NCAA Championships on June 1-4 in Hot Springs, Va.

As a team, the Gamecocks improved their score by six shots over Thursday’s opening round, finishing with a team total of 293, to stand in 16th place at 299-293-592 after 36 holes. That score is 17 shots off the pace of team leader Penn State, which is at 15-over-par, 290-285-575 after two rounds. South Carolina is just four shots out of 10th place and the final spot in the NCAA Tournament, as Jacksonville State (306-282-588) and Georgia State (288-300-588) share that position entering Saturday’s final round.

Junior Martin Rominger had the round of the day for the Gamecocks, as he carded an even-par, 70 and is among nine players tied for 24th place at 4-over-par, 74-70-144. That total is seven shots behind individual leader Bill Haas of Wake Forest, who continued his solid play and is at 3-under-par, 67-70-137 after two rounds.

The next South Carolina individual in the field is sophomore Eirik Johansen, who is one of five players in a tie for 46th place at 73-74-147. Junior Jake Thompson bounced back in his second round to finish with a 2-over-par, 72 and is tied for 81st place at 80-72-152. Sophomore Robert Svensson, who is tied for 96th place at 76-77-153 and junior Alex Hamilton, who is part of a nine-player tie for 110th place at 76-79-155, follow Thompson.

The NCAA East Regional will conclude on Saturday with the final round of competition. South Carolina will begin its final 18 holes at 11:51 a.m. on the first tee. Full tournament results and live scoring are available at www.golfstatresults.com.

SOUTH CAROLINA INDIVIDUALST24.    Martin Rominger 74-70-144T46.    Eirik Johansen   73-74-147T81.    Jake Thompson 80-72-152T96.    Robert Svensson 76-77-153T110.   Alex Hamilton 76-79-155