Men's Golf

Jags Ride Momentum To Administaff Lead

Floyd, Norlander, Kaske pace ASU; USCA's Diaz matches tourney record

Web Posted 4/4/09

M Golf AUGUSTA, Ga. -- Augusta State booked rounds of 278 and 273 Saturday to take a six-shot lead through 36 holes of the Administaff Augusta State Invitational at Forest Hills Golf Club.

The Jaguars, who are coming off a victory at the Hootie at Bulls Bay Intercollegiate on Tuesday, March 31, carded a 10-under 278 in the morning, then fired a 15-uder 273 in the afternoon to move in front of Central Florida. First-round leader Chattanooga trails the Jags by eight shots, while Kent State and Coastal Carolina round out the top five.

USC Aiken’s Roberto Diaz matched the tournament record for a single round with an eight-under 64 in the morning, and added a three-under 69 for a total of 11-under 133 and a two-shot lead over ASU’s Taylor Floyd and Chattanooga’s Derek Rende. Diaz’s 64 was the first since former Jaguar standout Oliver Wilson’s 64 in the final round of the 2003 event.

ASU sophomore Henrik Norlander, Lamar’s Xavier Feyaerts and Kent State’s John Hahn are tied for fourth at seven-under 137.

A freshman from Macon, Ga., Floyd closed his afternoon round with birdies on five of his last six holes to record the best effort as a collegian, a five-under 67, after notching a four-under 68 in the first round.

Norlander tallied rounds of 69-68 and senior Janne Kaske signed for a 71-68 to move into a tie for 12th at five-under 139. Junior Jake Amos is tied for 26th at three-under 141 (70-71) while sophomore Carter Newman is tied for 31st at two-under 142 (72-70).

In its 31st year of existence, the Administaff Augusta State Invitational is back at the Donald-Ross designed Forest Hills for the first time since 2005.

The Jags are slated to be paired with UCF and Chattanooga for Sunday’s third and final round. Newman leads ASU out on the course at 9:39 a.m., followed by Amos at 9:48, Kaske at 9:57 and Norlander at 10:06 while Floyd will anchor the lineup at 10:15.

ASU claimed the last Administaff title played at Forest Hills in 2005. The 14th-ranked Jags rallied from a seven-shot deficit over the last three holes to overtake No. 3 Georgia and edge the Bulldogs for the team title.

The field includes nine teams ranked in the top 50 of the nation, including No. 12 Tennessee. The Volunteers, guided by former ASU head coach Jim Kelson, are the highest-ranked team in the field. No. 15 Central Florida, No. 28 Lamar and No. 35 Chattanooga are also in the top 40.