NCAA Southeast Regional: Burns, LSU Maintain Leads

May 16, 2017 | by AmateurGolf.com Staff

Sam Burns and LSU Still Lead at the University Club<br>(LSU Photo)

Sam Burns and the LSU Tigers struggled in round two but maintain a seven shot lead over Duke

BATON ROUGE, LA (May 16, 2017)--LSU was 20 shots higher in round two, yet still managed to extend its lead to seven going into the final round of the NCAA Southeast Regional at The University Club.

Playing on their home course, the Tigers started the day with a six-shot lead over Virginia after posting a 12-under 276 in the first round. But no LSU player could break par in round two, with Sam Burns again leading the team with an even-par 72.

It didn't hurt them though, as scores were higher across the board. Virginia shot 298 to fall into third, one shot behind Duke, who had the low round of the day at even-par 288.

Burns, who currently sits #3 in the Golfweek/AmateurGolf.com World Amateur Rankings, will take a five shot lead into the final round on the strength of his opening-round 65. Alex Smalley of Duke (71-71) and Wyndham Clark of Oregon (72-70) share second at two-under, with Jimmy Stanger of Virginia and Chandler Eaton of Duke tied fourth at 143.

The defending national champion Oregon Ducks backed up on Tuesday, shooting 301 and putting them on the bubble for the chance to defend their title at the championship.

They are joined in fourth place by Northwestern, who gained twelve shots on the Ducks with a 289.

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, Oregon and Northwestern will take a one shot lead over Kentucky for the fifth and final spot into the championship, with Jacksonville another six shots back. As it stands now, Alexander Herrmann of Georgia State has a one-shot lead over Cooper Musselman of Kentucky in the race for the lone individual spot in the championship.

Results: NCAA Division I Tallahassee Regional

Place	Player	Location	Pts	Scores
1	Sam Burns	Shreveport, LA	1000	65-72-75=212
2	Wyndham Clark	Greenwood Village, CO	700	72-70-71=213
T3	Alex Smalley	Wake Forest, NC	500	71-71-74=216
T3	Luis Gagne	Orlando, FL	500	72-73-71=216
T3	Chandler Eaton	Alpharetta, GA	500	74-69-73=216