March 26, 2007

MOBILE, Ala. - Memphis entered round two in fifth place and managed to hang on to that spot after round two at the USA Spring Golf Classic in Mobile, Ala. The Tigers conclude day one in fifth place, with one Tiger in the top-5.

Memphis concluded day one of competition in fifth place, reporting an 8-over-par score of 584. The Tigers were dominant in round one, scoring a 291 and stayed solid in round two, where they scored a 293. They have shot 35 birdies, 97 pars and an eagle so far in the tournament. Memphis is averaging a 3.20 (+8) on par three scoring, a 4.22 (+22) on par four scoring and a 4.80 (-8) on par five scoring.

Ian Rochester entered round two in fifth place, and put on a strong performance to move up in the rankings. The junior finished in second after day one, shooting a 6-under-par score of 138, where he scored a 69 in both rounds. The Cordova, Tenn. native has also earned a spot on several leader boards, with nine birdies and one eagle. He averages an even 4.00 on par four scoring and a 4.25 (-6) on par five scoring, making him one of the most dominant players in the tournament so far.

Ten strokes behind Rochester is Robbie Greenwell. The junior golfer is tied at 30th going into the final round, reporting a 4-over-par score of 148. Greenwell tallied eight birdies in two rounds of play. He shot a 73 in the first round, followed by a 75 in the second.

Tied for 34th place is Brandon Bunn, shooting a 5-over-par score of 149. The freshman shot a 73 in the first round and a 76 in the second. He is competing as an individual in the tournament, and is looking to improve in the final round.

Next in line for the Tigers are Brad Benjamin and Jeff Hall. Both Tigers are tied for 40th, reporting a 7-over-par score of 151. Hall's lowest round was in round one, where he scored a 74. Benjamin tallied eight birdies, earning him a spot on the leader board. The Rockford, Ill. native also earned a spot on the leader board for par five scoring, where he is averaging 4.38 (-5). His lowest round was in round two, where he shot a 72.

With a 10-over-par score of 154, Mark Trow shares the 50th place spot. Trow shot a 75 in the first round and a 79 in the second round. Going in to the final day, the freshman is looking to make an improvement and move up in the rankings.

Leading the tournament is UT-Chattanooga, with an 11-over-par score of 565. In second place is Southeastern Louisiana, reporting a 4-over-par score of 572. In the individual race, Chattanooga's Derek Rende leads the way with a 10-under-par score of 134. The third and final round will take place Tuesday at the Heron Lakes Country Club.