By: by Mark Toma
FURMAN, S.C. – Kennesaw State trimmed three shots of its first round score on Saturday afternoon as they stand in 10th place after two rounds of the 2010 Furman Intercollegiate at the Furman University Golf Course.
After finishing the opening round with a 16-over par 304, the Owls concluded play in the second round with a 13-over 301 as they moved up one position in the 24-team field. The Black and Gold trail No. 29 Chattanooga by 25 strokes and No. 18. Clemson by 22 shots headed into final round action on Sunday.
"We played a lot better
today," said Kennesaw State head coach Jay Moseley. "The guys got off to a great start, but we lost some strokes finishing up. Peder's round was outstanding and I'm happy that he was able to get some much needed confidence. The golf course is very difficult and demanding, but we are going to give it our best
tomorrow."
Kennesaw State is just 10 shots away from cracking the top five and trail No. 44 Virginia Tech and Mississippi State by just one stroke heading into Sunday. The Owls trail Wofford by five strokes, Presbyterian by seven strokes and fifth-place Western Carolina by eight shots as they search for their sixth top 10 finish of the year.
Peder Hermansson (82-70-152, +8) had a tremendous second round for the Owls as he cut 12 strokes of yesterday’s round. Hermansson moved up 60 spots in the field after firing a 2-under par 70 and is currently in an 11-way tie for 42nd place. After sitting at 1-over par through the first seven holes of the second round, Hermansson birdied the par 3 eighth hole as well as the par 4 ninth and tenth holes before making par over the final eight holes for the second lowest score of the round.
Jeff Karlsson (73-76-149, +5) remained in the top 25 after shooting a 4-over par 76 on Saturday. Karlsson sizzled through the first six holes as three birdies put him at three under par. However, he hit a rough patch at the end of the front nine as he bogeyed the eighth and ninth holes. Karlsson would make bogey or worse on five of the next six holes before regrouping to make par on the final four holes.
Sam Curtis (77-77-154, +10), who is tied for 61st place, finished the second round with a 5-over par 77 for the second consecutive day. J.P. Putnam (74-78-152, +8), tied for 42nd place, concluded play in the second round with a 6-over par 78 and Alex Jones shot a 7-over par 79 to round out the Owls scoring.
The final round of the 2010 Furman Intercollegiate is scheduled for Sunday. The event can be followed via live stats at
www.golfstat.com.
