March 5, 2007

LAFAYETTE, La. - Justin Harding is tied for fourth and the Lamar University men's golf team is second following Monday's first two rounds at the Louisiana Classics hosted by the University of Louisiana-Lafayette at Oakbourne Country Club.

Harding, a sophomore from Cape Town, South Africa, turned in a pair of 3-under par 69s and is tied for fourth place at 6-under 138. Gary Woodland of Kansas holds the 36-hole lead following rounds of 70-65--135.

Lamar is in second place with a 36-hole team score of 8-under par 568. The Cardinals shot a 7-under par 281 in the morning round and a 1-under 287 in the afternoon. Southeastern Louisiana turned in a blistering 11-under 277 in the morning and a 3-under 285 in the afternoon and holds the 36-hole lead at 14-under 562. Host UL-Lafayette is third at 569.

"We shot a great opening round, but Southeastern Louisiana played maybe the best round I've ever seen them play," said Lamar coach Brian White. "We hit the ball great, but we just didn't chip and putt very well. We had a lot of wasted shot out there."

Junior Dawie Van Der Walt is tied for 15th place after posting rounds of 69-74--143. Junior Casey Clendenon is tied for 22nd at even-par 71-73--144. Senior Dusty Smith and sophomore Oliver Bekker are both tied for 27th place. Smith posted rounds of 73-72--145 and Bekker turned in rounds of 72-73--145.

The 15-team field will play the final 18 holes today to complete the 54-hole event.