Justin Suh and USC lead the NCAA West Regional
(USC photo)
AUBURN, WA (May 16, 2017)--Justin Suh fired a second consecutive three-under 68, and the USC Trojans took a three stroke lead into the final round of the NCAA West Regional at Aldarra Golf Club.
First-round leader Sean Crocker, who opened with a seven-under 64, was ten shots higher on Tuesday. But the other four Trojans picked him up, with Rico Hoey (70), Jonah Texeira (72) and Cheng Jin (73) all improving their scores from day one.
Playing nearly 3000 miles from home, Florida State entered the day with a two-shot lead over the Trojans. But four players shot higher rounds than they did in round one, including Josh Lee who followed his opening 67 with a 75. In the end it was Harry Ellis with a 66 that kept the Seminoles within range of USC, three shots back.
Kent State made a move in round two, shooting a two-under 282 for the low round of the day which lifted them to solocthird, just six shots back. Bjarki Petursson (68) and Ian Holt (69) had sub-70 rounds for the Golden Flashes.
Penn State (290-288--578) and Alabama (283-297--580) round out the top five.
Suh will carry a two-shot lead into the final round, with Crocker and Cole Miller of Penn State tied second at 138 and Ellis at 139.
The low five teams and the low individual not on a qualifying team will qualify for the NCAA Championship, to be held at Rich Harvest Farms in Elk Grove, IL, May 26-31.
Going into the final round, Alabama will take a one shot lead over Washington for the fifth and final spot into the championship, with Texas A&M another two shots back and San Diego State another shot behind. As it stands now, there is a three-way tie in the race for the lone individual spot in the championship, with P.J. Samiere of San Diego State and Michigan's Kyle Mueller and Nick Carlson all at 142.
ABOUT THE NCAA Division I West Regional
54 hole men's NCAA Regional from which the
low
teams advance to the NCAA Championship.
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