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APSU Men’s Golf in striking distance heading into final round of OVC Tournament

APSU Sports Information

APSU Men's GolfMuscle Shoals, AL – Round Two of the 2019 Ohio Valley Conference Men’s Golf Championships saw Austin Peay State University (APSU) men’s golf put some distance between itself and the rest of the field as the Govs maintained their top-three standing, helped by a big move up the leaderboard from junior Austin Lancaster.

Austin Peay Men's Golf junior Austin Lancaster shoots at 68 to move into third place in the second round of the OVC Tournament. (APSU Sports Information)
Austin Peay Men’s Golf junior Austin Lancaster shoots at 68 to move into third place in the second round of the OVC Tournament. (APSU Sports Information)

The Govs (283-286—569) remain in third place, but moved four shots clear of Murray State (573) and seven up on SIU Edwardsville (576) in the battle for a top-three finish.

Jacksonville State (559) overtook Belmont (564) as the tournament leader on Day Two thanks to a six-under team showing, coupled with a one-over outing for the Bruins.

On a day when birdies were there for the taking, the Govs recorded their fair share. Austin Peay picked up six birdies as a team in the first four holes alone and recorded 18 for the second round’s entirety.

“We got out to a great start,” said Austin Peay head coach Robbie Wilson. “I think that shows that our guys aren’t afraid of the moment and aren’t afraid to seize greatness.”

Lancaster was the talk of the tournament on Day Two, moving nine spots up the leaderboard and into a tie for third place overall after a four-under 68 on the day, tying him three other golfers for Monday’s best round.

The Hendersonville Tennessee native posted a front-nine 33, with birdies on three of his first four holes, including the monster 567-yard par-5 to lead off the day, which yielded just eight birdies in Round Two. Lancaster tied for the team-best stroke average in par-3, par-4 and par-5 scoring, a testament to his consistency regardless of range.

Of the course’s most difficult holes by score on Monday—Nos. 9, 10, 13, 15 and 18—Lancaster was magnificent, birdieing four of the five and shooting three-under overall on holes that gave the rest of the field fits.

Joining Lancaster in the top-10 heading into Day Three is junior Michael Busse, who backed up an opening-round 70 with a 71 in Round Two to sit tied for ninth at 141. He’s tied with Lancaster in par-4 (3.90 strokes per hole) and par-5 (4.63 strokes/hole) scoring; for the second time in as many days, he birdied both the par-5 holes on the back-nine, at No. 12 and No. 17, as his iron game continues to pay dividends from intermediate distances.

Sophomore Chase Korte is one shot off a top-10 pace following a second-round 73, leaving him at 142 overall and tied with four others for 11th. After four birdies on the front nine alone in Sunday’s opening round, Korte captured just two birdies in round two but managed par 13 times in round two and a team-high 24 times over the first 36 holes.

Once more, sophomore Garrett Whitfield found himself around par all round, ultimately carding a 74 to total 147 through two rounds. He parred the first six holes of the back-nine to supplement a one-over 37 on the front before going bogey-birdie-bogey to close the round. The Johnson City native also birdied the par-3 at No. 9, carrying the water with ease for one of just four birdies on that hole for the day.

As predicted in this very space yesterday, OVC Freshman of the Year Micah Knisley shaved a lot of strokes off his Round One score, carding a second-round 74 to move up six spots and hold a 157 heading into the final round. It’s the fifth time this season Knisley has knocked at least four shots off his opening-round score.

“We’ve been in this position before,” Wilson said. “We’ve come through in this position before. I look forward to seeing us make a run tomorrow.”

The Govs tee off in Tuesday’s final round with a chance to put a lot of pressure on the two teams ahead of them. Austin Peay will pair with Jacksonville State and Belmont in the final group, set to tee off beginning 10:30am (CT), Tuesday.

2019 Ohio Valley Conference Championship

Robert Trent Jones at the Shoals
Muscle Shoals, AL
Dates: April 21st -23rd

Finish School – Players Round 1 Round 2 Totals
3 Austin Peay State University 283 286 569
T 3 Austin Lancaster (3) 71 68 139
T 9 Michael Busse (2) 70 71 141
T 11 Chase Korte (1) 69 73 142
T 27 Garrett Whitfield (5) 73 74 147
48 Micah Knisley (4) 83 74 157
         
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