March 28, 2009

Jordan Payne's one-under-par 70 in the second round helped move the Tigers into seventh place at the FAU Spring Break Championship. Payne's two-day total of 142 at the Gleneagles Country Club has him in a tie for fifth place.

After an up and down round that included a hole-in-one yesterday, Payne played consistently today, making three birdies and only two bogeys. After making a birdie on the first hole, Payne parred the next eight to go out with a one-under 34. He then recorded two birdies and two bogeys on the back nine to shoot an even-par 36 on the back nine.

"Jordan played really well," said head coach Grant Robbins. "The hole-in-one yesterday really got him going. We just need a good round tomorrow." After shooting 72 yesterday, Stefan Erdidi turned in a four-over par 75 today, leaving him in a tie for 26th. Brad Benjamin's eagle on the par-four tenth helped him to a two-over 73 on day two, moving him up to a tie for 32nd. Jack Belote's second straight 75 put him in for 45th after two rounds. Brandon Bunn is in 69th after firing a second-round 78.

Memphis finished the second round with a total of 293, leaving them in seventh place.

Illinois (569) held on to its lead with a team score of 292 in the second round. Northwestern (574) is five strokes back in second. Michigan (577), Ohio State (579), and Eastern Michigan (581) round out the top-five.

Jonathon Brewers of Northwestern and Scott Langley of Illinois are currently tied for first in the individual competition with two-day totals of 135. Cam Burke (139) of Eastern Michigan is four strokes back in third.

The Tigers will complete the FAU Spring Break Championship with the playing of the third round tomorrow, March 29. Keep up with action as it unfolds at www.golfstat.com.