June 2, 2006
Note: Many teams are still on the course, although none are in contention to pass Wake Forest today. A final release that includes team standings will be sent out later tonight.
SUNRIVER, Ore. -- Wet, cold and in contention for the national championship.
That's the position Wake Forest and senior Kyle Reifers are in following Friday's third round of the NCAA Men's Golf Championship at the Crosswater Golf Club. The Demon Deacons are in a three-way tie for second place, three strokes off the pace. Reifers is in second place in the race for the individual crown, just one stroke back.
With several teams and individuals in contention, Saturday's final 18 holes should provide plenty of drama.
"It's going to be a shootout tomorrow," Deacon head coach Jerry Haas said. "In college golf, if you are within 10 shots of the leader, you have a chance."
Wake Forest battled its way to a 6-over par score Friday to remain just three strokes behind tournament leader Washington. The Deacons, 4-under for the tournament, are tied for second place with Arizona State and Oklahoma State. Minnesota (+1), Lamar (+1), Clemson (+2), Florida (+3) and five other teams are within 10 shots of the lead.
Reifers, who was in first place after rounds one and two, slid one notch to second place after shooting a 1-over 73 today, breaking his streak of shooting par or better in nine consecutive rounds. Reifers, who is 8-under for the tournament, is one stroke behind Oklahoma State's Jonathan Moore. Oklahoma State's Pablo Martin (-7) is in third place, followed by Texas A&M's Andrew Parr (-6).
Reifers had birdies on the first and ninth holes to go along with three bogies today on the par 72, 7-630-yard layout. If Reifers can shoot par or better Saturday, he will have the lowest NCAA Tournament score in Wake Forest history. Reifers is, of course, hoping for better than par.
"I just grinded it out today," Reifers said. "I could have scored better. I hit a lot of lips. I just tried to stay in there and give myself a chance tomorrow."
Junior Sean Moore turned in Wake's best score of the day -- an even par 72. Moore scrapped his way to 16 pars to go with one birdie and one bogey. He is 2-over par for the tournament.
Sophomores Chris McCartin (+2 today) and Webb Simpson (+3) both recorded key birdies on the 18th hole. Simpson is 1-over through 54 holes and McCartin is 3-over. Senior Doug Manchester's round of 80 today did not count toward the team score.
"The course played much harder today," Haas said. "It's gotten harder each day. The two birdies on the last hole were important, keeping us in the top three."
Wake Forest could be alone in second place if not for a controversial ruling. On the seventh hole, McCartin's ball was off the green but in the way of another golfer. McCartin spotted his ball, but a spectator told a rules official that McCartin cleaned his ball, which would be a one-stroke penalty. McCartin did not intentionally clean the ball, but the rules official ultimately penalized him the one stroke.
"That will serve as motivation for us tomorrow," said Haas. "I think you'll see a very spirited bunch out here tomorrow."
Fifteen teams were cut after today's round. Wake Forest will tee-off for the final time this season Saturday morning.
Wake Forest is chasing its fourth NCAA crown and its first since 1986. It is worth noting that in 1986, Wake Forest entered the final round 16 strokes back, but put together a remarkable final 18 holes to win the championship. Wake's Reifers is trying to become the first Deacon to win the individual title since Gary Hallberg in 1979.
"We have to go out there tomorrow like we did the first day -- with a nothing-to-lose attitude," Simpson said. "Winning the national championship would mean a lot to us, our coach and our school."
