SILVIS, Ill. – The Lewis-Clark State College men’s golf team found out how tough a course on the PGA tour can play during Wednesday’s round of the 58th annual NAIA Golf Championships at the TPC at Deere Run.
Only one Warrior managed to break 80 on the day as the team shot a 326, its highest total of the season. The Warriors are now tied forth 24th place overall at 640 and are in real danger of missing the cut after Thursday’s round.
At the halfway point of the tournament, LCSC is 72 shots over par. The third round of the tournament is Thursday and only the top 17 teams in the 29-team field will advance to Friday’s round. LCSC is currently 17 shots out of 17th place.
LCSC coach Paul Thompson said the Warriors really struggled with the greens on Wednesday. He said the greens are all slanted to the front and were double mowed, making them very quick. He said any shots that went above the flag made for impossible putts to stop and it was common for the ball to roll a few feet off the green.
Sophomore Chris Kneen led LCSC with an 8-over-par 79 to leave him at 13 over for the tournament. Scott Mooney had an 80 on Wednesday to stand at 164. Patrick Casabonne was next with his second straight 82, while Ben House had an 85 and Connor McCracken an 88.
Overall, Kneen is tied for 52nd at 155, while Casabonne, McCracken and Mooney are all tied for 125th overall at 164. House is a shot behind at 165.
The overall lead is Oklahoma Christian’s Axel Ochoa, who is at 3-under 139. Oklahoma Christian also leads the tournament, with Texas Wesleyan second and British Columbia third.
