The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
Shoal Creek Intercollegiate
Sucher Leads Field Through Two Rounds Of Shoal Creek Intercollegiate
9/22/2008 12:00:00 AM | Men's Golf
Sept. 22, 2008
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - UAB senior Zack Sucher carded a three-under par 141 to take a one-stroke lead after two rounds of the 2008 Shoal Creek Intercollegiate on Monday. Sucher, who finished in second place in the same event in 2007, led the Blazers to a team score of 595 (301-294) as they finished the day in a tie for fourth overall.
"I felt good about the way we played in the second round," UAB head coach Alan Kaufman said. "We struggled to start the day and had to make that up as the day went on. We had a couple of bad holes toward the end that slid us back a few spots, but all-in-all I am pleased with where we are."
Sucher played impressively throughout the day, especially over his final 18 holes. After shooting an opening round 72, the Mobile, Ala. native carded a three-under 69 on the second round. He will hold a one-stroke advantage over 2007 Shoal Creek medalist Will Griffin of Texas Tech heading into the final 18 holes.
Junior John Darby also played well during the first two rounds. Darby will be in a tie for 21st overall entering Tuesday's final 18 holes after carding a six-over par 150 (76-74). Junior Adam West finished the day with an eight-over par 152 (74-78) despite recording a triple bogey on his final hole of the second round. He will enter the final 18 holes tied for 31st overall.
Senior Mike Oimoen, playing in his first tournament of the 2008-09 campaign, rebounded from an opening round 81 to close play with a two-over par 74 and is tied for 45th with a 155 on the day. Sophomore Blake Watts rounds out the Blazers with a 12-over par 156 (79-77) to finish the day tied for 49th overall.
Baylor stormed out in front during the first round and never looked back the rest of the day, owning as much as a 10-stroke advantage at one point during the second round. The Bears finished with an eight-stroke lead over the rest of the field through 36 holes with a five-over par 581 (288-293). LSU is in second with a 13-over par 589 (301-288), followed by Ole Miss in third (298-294/592). Conference USA rival Tulsa (300-295) is tied with the Blazers in fourth at 595 to round out the top five.
"This is a very challenging field, maybe the best we've ever had here," Kaufman said. "We are sitting in good shape, but we have to play well to have a chance. We have never won this event, so it would be nice if it all comes together. Either way, it should make for a very excting final round."
The Shoal Creek Intercollegiate final round will begin with an 8:35 a.m. tee time on Tuesday morning. The Blazers will tee off at 9 a.m. on hole No. 1. Admission is free to the general public and live stats can be found by going to golfstat.com.
