March 26, 2008

Results

Santa Cruz, CA - After 36 holes at the 62nd Annual Western Intercollegiate, senior Mike McRae, the 88th ranked player in the country, holds a 1-shot lead over the 90-player field. McRae has helped the No. 50 ranked Gaels post rounds of 289 and 292 for a 36-hole total of 591 (+21) to enter the final round in sole possession of second place in the 16-team field.

McRae opened the day with a 4-under par 66 at the par 70, 6,500-yard Pasatiempo Golf Course on Wednesday morning to tie for first place after 18 holes. McRae followed his morning round with a 1-under par 69 in the afternoon, and holds a 1-shot lead over Jack Newman of No. 25 Michigan State. Michigan State's Payne Gniewek is in third place and is six shots behind McRae and five shots behind Newman.

To earn their first win of the year, Saint Mary's will have to make up 14 shots on the Spartans. Behind the play of Newman and Gniewek, the Spartans posted rounds of 284-283-567 and are 14 shots clear of the Gaels. Saint Mary's holds a four shot advantage over California, a five shot lead over Colorado, a six-shot difference over UC Irvine, and a seven shot lead over sixth place Northwestern. Saint Mary's holds a 14 shot lead over No. 23 Texas Tech, as the Red Raiders are in ninth place after 36 holes.

Both Daniel Cone and Josh Kelley will enter the third and final round tied for 29th after posting equal rounds of 73 and 76 in the first and second rounds respectively. Chadd Cocco is tied for 35th overall with a total of 151 following rounds of 77 and 74 on Wednesday. Rounding out the Gaels' team play was Robert McRae, who had rounds of 79 and 73 on the opening day of the tournament.

SMC had two individuals playing in the field in Richard Conlin and Hans Olson. Conlin played will as an individual, as he had rounds of 75 and 76, and is tied with Cocco for 35th overall. Olson carded rounds of 86 and 85 and is in 89th place.

Saint Mary's will conclude play in the 62nd Annual Western Intercollegiate on Thursday morning beginning at 8 a.m. with a shotgun start.