Furman, Goforth Take Second Round Lead At Wofford Invitational

Spartanburg, S.C. -- Senior Ben Goforth carded rounds of 69 and 67 to grab a share of first place while Furman posted a second round 285 to take a three-stroke lead entering Tuesday’s final round of the 21st Annual Wofford Invitational at the Carolina Country Club on Monday.

Goforth (69-67=136) opened the day with a three-under 69 to help Furman (293-285=578) to fourth place after round one.  He followed with a career-best five-under-par 67 as Furman equaled a season-best round at three-under-par 285 to move three strokes ahead of USC Upstate.  Akron, Presbyterian and Stetson rounded out the top five after 36 holes.  Goforth shares the individual lead with Presbyterian’s Hugh Morrison (70-66=136).

The Paladins’ Matt Hayes (71-71=142) tallied back-to-back rounds of one-under 71 to share sixth place and Jonathan Bowden (76-72=148) moved into the top 20 at 18th place on the strength of a second round even-par 72.

Furman will look to claim its second tournament title of the season when the final round of the Wofford Invitational begins with a shotgun start at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday.

Furman takes opening day lead with three-under par second round

SPARTANBURG, S.C. -- Furman shot a 3-under par 285 during the second 18 holes, 12 strokes lower than its first round tally, to take a three-shot advantage over USC Upstate following opening day action Monday at the 21st Annual Coca-Cola Wofford Invitational at The Carolina Country Club in Spartanburg, S.C.

The Paladins' cause was helped by Ben Goforth, who posted the only pair sub-70 rounds with a 69-67--136 (-8) to tie for first among the 60 individuals. His effort ties him with Presbyterian's Hugh Morrison, who carded a 70-66--136 (-8) for the lead after 36 holes on the par 72, 6,877-yard course.

The 136 ties the duo with four others for third in tournament history for the lowest 36 hole score. Morrison's 66 on the second 18 is tied for the third-best tally during second round play since the event began in 1988.

USC Beaufort's Ryan Ruggiere took control of the opening round, firing a 66 but a 74 on the second 18 slid him into third with a 4-under par 140. The 66 matches two others for the lowest opening round score in tournament history.

Host Wofford used a boost from sophomore Mike McKenzie, who notched a 68-73--141 (-3) to tie USC Upstate's Josh Gallman for fourth place. McKenzie was the lone Terrier in the top 10 with classmate Garrett Medeiros standing just outside with a 72-73--145 (+1) for 11th place.

The 54-hole, two-day tournament will conclude with the final 18 holes Tuesday beginning with a shotgun start at 9:30 a.m.

Wofford Individuals:
T4--Mike McKenzie, 68-73--141 (-3)
11--Garrett Medeiros, 72-73--145 (+1)
T36--Drew Perry, 75-78--153 (+9)
T45--Kirk Whitehead, 79-77--156 (+12)
T50--John Gault, 83-75--158 (+14)*
58--Rob Gorrell, 86-80--166 (+22)*
59--Adam Dolezal, 84-92--176 (+32)
* - competing as an individual

Top-10 Individuals:
T1--Ben Goforth (Furman), 69-67--136 (-8)
T1--Hugh Morrison (Presbyterian), 70-66--136 (-8)
3--Ryan Ruggierre (USC Beaufort), 66-74--140 (-4)
T4--Mike McKenzie (Wofford), 68-73--141 (-3)
T4--Josh Gallman (USC Upstate), 71-70--141 (-3)
T6--Colin Clemente (Akron), 73-69--142 (-2)
T6--Matt Hayes (Furman), 71-71--142 (-2)
8--Taylor Hines (Appalachian State), 74-69--143 (-1)
T9--David McAndrew (Stetson), 73-71--144 (E)
T9--Michael Lawrence (USC Upstate), 77-67--144 (E)

Team Standings:
1--Furman, 293-285--578 (+2)
2--USC Upstate, 298-283--581 (+5)
3--Akron, 289-297--586 (+10)
4--Presbyterian, 295-293--588 (+12)
5--Stetson, 289-300--589 (+13)
6--Wofford, 294-301--595 (+19)
7--Appalachian State, 301-296--597 (+21)
8--Radford, 307-292--599 (+23)
9--USC Beaufort, 291-309--600 (+24)
10--Elon, 312-298--610 (+34)
11--High Point, 308-303--611 (+35)