Strong Second Round Has State In Top 5 Going Into Final Round

Monday, April 16

West Point, Miss. (Old Waverly GC)

All Day

Mississippi State

Old Waverly Collegiate

Strong Second Round Has State In Top 5 Going Into Final Round

April 16, 2018 | Men's Golf

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WEST POINT, Miss. – Mississippi State will look to claim another Top 5 finish Tuesday after rallying in the second round of its home tournament, the Old Waverly Collegiate Championship on Monday.

State was spurred on by a clean round from sophomore Garrett Johnson, who shot 1-under for the round and didn't bogey a single hole at the Par 72, 7,000-yard Old Waverly Golf Course.

"I felt like over all we battled all day in some tough conditions," MSU coach Dusty Smith said. "Garrett's second round was huge for us. With the conditions and hole location in the second round, to not make a bogey is a huge round for our team."

The Dawgs closed their first round in sixth place after shooting 8-over. After posting the field's second-best second round score, a 2-over, they jumped into fourth place for Tuesday's final round, set to begin with an 8 a.m. CT tee-time.

Johnson finished the day 2-over and in a tie for 12th.

Senior Taylor Grant and sophomore Peng Pichaikool finished in the Top 15 on the player leaderboard, too. Grant also had a big second round, firing even par and bringing his two-round total to 3-over for the share of 14th.

Senior Taylor Bibbs' best round was his first, as he claimed a 73. He totaled 5-over Monday.

Cameron Clarke bounced back from a tough first round to shoot a 73 in round two and help MSU move up. He's tied for 57th at 12-over heading into Tuesday's play.

Freshman Hunter Hammett was MSU's best individual player Monday after he shot 5-over as a whole.

Ole Miss sits atop both the team and player leaderboard, as Braden Thornberry has a three-stroke lead.

Seniors Taylor Grant, Taylor Bibbs and Jacob Ross will play a round at Old Waverly for the final time as Bulldogs Tuesday. State is set to tee off beginning at 8:50 a.m. CT.

For more information on the Bulldogs, follow the program on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram by searching @HailStateMG.

MSU men's golf coach Dusty Smith:

"It was a tough day out there, we had a lot of wind. I thought our guys did a good job battling all day, but that first round we had a tough finish. I felt like over all we battled all day in some tough conditions. Garrett's second round was huge for us. With the conditions and hole location in the second round, to not make a bogey is a huge round for our team. I thought Taylor Grant hung in there today. His par save on the last was a big momentum shift for us. I am also really proud of Cameron Clarke. He really struggled in the first round, but came back and played a huge round for us, shooting a 73 when the team needed it. We will see how we do tomorrow."

Sophomore Garrett Johnson:

"It felt great playing at home today. The Bulldog family really came out and supported us throughout the whole day. It's always fun to be able to tee it up in a tournament and try and defend your home turf. During the second round, I really got into the mindset of giving myself an opportunity on each hole and I stayed patient throughout the whole day with that mindset. At the end of the day it all added up to a 71 with no bogey. Hail State!"

Old Waverly Collegiate Championship
1. Ole Miss (284+289=573, -3)
2. LSU (287+291=578, +2)
3. South Florida (286+297=583, +7)
4. Mississippi State (269+290=586, +10)
5. South Alabama (293+295-588, +12)
6. Lipscomb (291+299=590, +14)
7. ULM (300+293=593, +17)
8. Coastal Carolina (299+295=594, +18)
9. McNeese (299+303=602, +26)
10. Chattanooga (306+307=613, +37)
T11. Little Rock (308+309=617, +41)
T11. Southern Miss (314+303=617, +41
T13. Louisiana (318+304=622, +46)
T13. Memphis (316+306=622, +46)
15. Louisiana Tech (309+314=623, +26)

MSU Players
T12. Garrett Johnson (75+71=146, +2)
T14. Peng Pichaikool (73+74=147, +3)
T14. Taylor Grant (75+72=147, +3)
T26. Taylor Bibbs (73+76=149, +5)
T57. Cameron Clarke (83+73=156, +12)

MSU Individuals
Hunter Hammett (75+74=149, +5)
Ross Bell (72+80=152, +8)
Austin Fulton (73+80=153, +9)
Austin Rose (79+77=156, +12)
Jacob Ross (80+76=156, +12)
Griffin Agent (81+77=158, +14)