March 17, 2008

COLUMBIA – Golfweek named South Carolina sophomore George Bryan IV (Chapin, S.C./Dutch Fork) its Player of the Week today after he picked up his first career victory at the Schenkel E-Z-Go Invitational Sunday. Bryan is the first Gamecock to earn a national player of the week award since three-time All-American Kyle Thompson was named Player of the Week by Golf World Magazine on Oct. 13, 2000.

“I am so proud of George,” South Carolina head coach Bill McDonald said. “His victory at the Schenkel E-Z-Go is a landmark event for our program. He battled some of the best players in the country on the back nine of his final round, and the way that he won proved that he belongs among the elite players in college golf. It has been rewarding to see the growth in George’s game, and I expect him to use this win as a springboard to more victories.”

After a first-round 73 (+1), Bryan made his key move with a 66 on Saturday and closed out the event with a 69 Sunday to top the national top-ranked player, Michael Thompson of Alabama by one stroke. Saturday’s bogey-free round of 66 featured six birdies. Heading into the final round in a six-way tie for first, Bryan powered his way to -4 just seven holes into the round. Bryan survived a slump of three bogeys in the next four holes and got back on track with a birdie on the par-5 12th. Five pars had his round holding steady, and Bryan punctuated his effort with what proved to be a decisive birdie on the par-5 18th.

Bryan’s total of 208 (-8) is among the top 15 tournament scores in school history, as is his second-round 66. He joins senior Mark Anderson as the only players on the current Gamecock roster to win an event and is now one of just 25 Gamecocks all-time to earn individual medalist honors. Only seven players in that group have won multiple events in their careers.

South Carolina returns to the course on Sun., Mar. 23, in the Hootie at Bulls Bay Intercollegiate in Charleston, S.C.