Alabama Men’s Golf Earns Big Lead After Round 2 of NCAA Regional

The top-ranked Alabama men’s golf team extended its lead to 15 shots after two rounds of the NCAA Auburn Regional Championship Friday at the par-72, 7,254-yard Auburn University Club. 

The Crimson Tide shot 4-under-par 284, and was the only team under par for the second straight day, for a 36-hole total of 5-under-par 571. Host Auburn carded a 4-over 292 in the second round and is in second at 10-over 586 while Kennesaw State turned in another strong round (+3, 291) and is in third place at 12-over 588. Virginia Tech is fourth at 16-over 592 while Texas and BYU are tied for fifth at 17-over 593.

The top five finishers at the NCAA Auburn Regional will advance to the NCAA Championships at Prairie Dunes Country Club on May 23-28 in Hutchinson, Kan. The top two individuals not on a qualifying team will advance to NCAAs as well.

Senior Cory Whitsett paced the Alabama attack on Friday with a 3-under 69 that moved him into a tie for the individual lead at 4-under-par 140. The Houston native made the turn at even par after two birdies and two bogeys on the front nine, but drained birdies on the 12^th, 16^th and 18^th to grab a share of the lead with Kennesaw State’s Kelby Burton (73-67/140).

The Crimson Tide has four players among the top eight individuals and all five in the top 25. Sophomore Tom Lovelady is tied for sixth position after a 1-under-par 71 in the second round for a 36-hole total 1-under 143.

Seniors Bobby Wyatt and Trey Mullinax are close behind in a tie for eight at even-par 144. Wyatt shot 1-under 71 while Mullinax carded a 1-over 73. The nation’s No. 1 golfer Robby Shelton fired a 1-over 73 Friday to move into a tie for 23^rdat 4-over 148.

Alabama will play with Auburn and Kennesaw State in Saturday’s final round. Shelton will get the Tide started at 8:40 a.m. off the first tee.