AUBURN, Ala. — LSU senior men’s golfer John Humphries fired an even-par 72 in the second round at the 2003 NCAA East Regional on Friday and heads into the final round in a tie for 61st place at the Auburn University Club.
Humphries, making his third-consecutive apperance in NCAA regional play, recovered from a 5-over par 77 which he shot in Thursday’s first round. He bogeyed the first two holes of his round on Friday but recorded four birdies on the back nine to get back to even-par. Humphries is one of six individuals competing at the regional and the two top individual golfers from teams who do not qualify for the NCAA Championship advance as individuals. The top 10 teams from each of the three regions across the nation advance to the NCAA Championship.
Top-ranked Clemson leads the 27-team field heading into Saturday’s third and final round at 14-under par 562. The Tigers fired an 11-under par 277 in Friday’s second round. Georgia Tech, co-leaders after Friday’s play, are in second place at 9-under par 567. Georgia Tech’s Troy Matteson is the current individual leader at 9-under par 135. Virginia Commonwealth’s Ted Brown and South Alabama’s Gareth Maybin, each playing as individuals, are tied for third place at 6-under par 138. USA’s Ryan Gildersleeve and Coastal Carolina’s Alvero Velasco, the last two individuals, are tied for eighth place at 4-under par 140.
Humphries was named the Player of the Year on the Louisiana Sports Writers Association All-Louisiana Golf team on Saturday, and earlier in the week advanced from local to sectional qualifying for the 2003 U.S. Open after firing a 4-under par 67 on Monday in Marksville, La.
The regional will end on Saturday with the third and final round at the Auburn University Club.