SMU
John Burns Intercollegiate
Mustangs Run Wild On Day Two In Hawai'i
Feb 16 | Men's Golf
Feb. 16, 2012
KAHUKU, Hawai'i (SMU) - Entering the second round, the SMU men's golf team sat in fourth place, but after combining for a season-low round of 278, 10-under today, the Mustangs finished day two in second place, four strokes behind Cal, the reigning John A. Burns Intercollegiate champions.
Once again, it was SMU's youngest player, Sam Fidone leading the charge. After shooting a season-low 68 yesterday, the freshman one-upped himself, firing off a 5-under (67), thanks to six birdies, including four in the final seven holes. The Lufkin, Texas native is currently tied atop the individual leaderboard at 9-under with 58th ranked Julian Suri of Duke.
Fidone wasn't the only Mustang producing late in the round, including his four birdies, the squad produced 11 on the front nine as the team began their day on the 10th hole. After three in his first four holes Harry Higgs picked up two in the final seven holes to recover after bogeys at 14 and 17. The sophomore finished the day at 3-under and is tied for 13th overall.
Senior Marc Sambol and Max Buckley also stepped up in the clutch. Two-over through his first nine, Smabol stormed back with three birdies over the final nine holes. After a tough first round and a rough start to the day, Buckley found his rhythm to the tune of three birdies in four holes, ending the day at 1-under with Sambol.
"This has been a great first two rounds, the best we have played all year," SMU head coach Josh Gregory said. "These guys have really made some changes and bought in over the offseason. I knew if we could get some solid play out of the fourth and fifth spot, we could be a very good team. What Sam Fidone has done is remarkable. He barely made the trip and has taken full advantage of the opportunity."
With the day's surge, SMU passed three top Top-25 teams today, leading third place New Mexico by six strokes and trail only No. 11 Cal heading into the final round.
"Tomorrow will be a great day," Gregory added. "Anytime you are in the last group with a chance to win, that's what you play for. I can't wait to see how we handle the moment."
SMU will begin the final round at 1:10 CT, with Buckley. Fidone will tee off in the final group at 1:50 with Suri and two other players in the Top 10.
