June 2, 2000

OPELIKA, Ala. -- The Wake Forest men's golf team completed the third round of play at the 2000 NCAA Championships at the Grand National Golf Club in Opelika, Ala.. The Demon Deacons stand in 15th place out of the 15 teams remaining after the 36-hole cut.

The Deacons started the day by winning a sudden-death playoff with Georgia for the 15th and final team spot in the cut, then almost immediately had to tee off for the third round of play. After tying the first playoff hole with the Bulldogs, WFU won the second hole by recording three pars and a birdie (by freshman BUCK WILLIAMS) while Georgia netted four bogeys.

The Deacs recorded a team score of 292, or 4-over par, in the third round and hold a 54-hole total of 874 (+10). That puts Wake 41 strokes behind team leader Oklahoma State (-31), who extended its lead to four strokes with a 12-under 276 today. Texas stands in second place at 27-under, followed by Georgia Tech (-24), Arizona (-20) and North Carolina (-17).

BRENT WANNER led the Deacs with a 1-under 71 in the third round; his 54-hole total of 215 (-1) puts him in a tie for 36th place individually. Wanner is 21 strokes behind the individual leader, Oklahoma State's Charles Howell (-20), who shot a 9-under 63 today. JAY MORGAN carded a 74 today and is tied for 54th place (+2), while BUCK WILLIAMS tallied a 73 and is in 74th place (+7). CHAD WILFONG shot a 77 and is tied for 75th (+8), while

CHRIS YODER recorded a 79 and is tied for 83rd (+14).

Final round action continues on Saturday morning.