Colby Patton (Clemson Athletics photo)
Having hosted more single championships than any other golf course in America, famed Pinehurst No. 2 is one of the most celebrated and history-rich courses in the world. With its longleaf pine trees, restored sandy native areas and whispy wiregrass, Pinehurst No. 2 can look downright charming.
But beware.
Its crowned and undulating greens have tormented the best players in the world over the years and despite all of its beautiful disguises, Pinehurst No. 2 takes pure joy out of humbling those who make their way through its tall, sweet smelling pines.
Playing host to the Wake Forest Invitational, some of the top collegiate players in the nation walked 36 holes in the footsteps of legends at Pinehurst on Monday and found out first-hand the worst kept secret about the Donald Ross masterpiece -- it's a brute under the best of conditions.
Add some wind to the equation and Pinehurst No. 2 can be downright torturous.
Attempting to navigate Pinehurst's domed green complexes, the 12-team field was a combined 487 over par for two rounds on Monday, with Clemson leading the pack at 20-over 580, 11 strokes ahead of second-place Duke. East Carolina (+32), Wake Forest (+33), San Francisco (+34) and Kentucky (+34) round out the top-five.
"It was very windy out there today and the course won," said Wake Forest head coach Jerry Haas.
Behind
Colby Patton's 2-under 68, Clemson shaved 12 strokes off its morning round to turn in a 4-over 284 over its second 18 holes of the day, extending its lead to 11 strokes over Duke.
At 1-over 141 (73-68), Patton will take a two-stroke lead over teammate
Zack Gordon and San Francisco's
Soren Lind into Tuesday's final round. Patton offset a pair of bogeys with four birdies in his second round 68, which was the lowest score of the day.
“Colby’s 68 in the second round was outstanding,” said Clemson Head Coach Jordan Byrd. “There are usually a lot of bumps out there (greens) on the second 18 of a day when there are 66 players in the field. So it can be tough conditions. But, he really took advantage of the holes that were down-wind on the back nine.”
The final round of the Wake Forest Invitational will get underway at 8:00 a.m. ET on Tuesday.
Clemson and Wake Forest Athletics Communications contributed to this report.
ABOUT THE Wake Forest Invitational at Pinehurst #2
54-hole men's college tournament hosted by Wake
Forest University. Team (best four scores out of five
players each round) and individual competitions.
View Complete Tournament Information