Duke In Second After Two Rounds At General Jim Hackler Championship

Sunday, March 9

Myrtle Beach, S.C.

All Day

Duke University

Day One

Blue Devils To Compete In General Jim Hackler Championship

Duke In Second After Two Rounds At General Jim Hackler Championship

3/9/2008 12:00:00 AM | Men's Golf

By: Duke Sports Information

MURRELS INLET, S.C. ? Freshman Matthew Pierce and junior Clark Klaasen posted strong opening rounds on Sunday to lead Duke into second place at the General Jim Hackler Championship. As a team, the Blue Devils shot 302-295=597 (+21) at the par-72, 6,950-yard TPC of Myrtle Beach to trail tournament-leader and host Coastal Carolina by eight strokes heading into tomorrow's final round of play. Duke's seven-over 295 in the second round was the lowest team score in the afternoon round.

"The conditions were very tough today," said head coach O.D. Vincent. " We learned a lot out of the course today and are excited to compete tomorrow. These are championship conditions that test your patience."

Pierce got off to a slow start on Sunday with five bogeys over the first eight holes. The San Juan Capistrano, Calif., native recovered to play the final 28 holes of the day at one-under par. He shot a five-over 77 in the opening round and followed up with a one-under 71 in the second round. Pierce carded a team-high six birdies on the day, including four in the afternoon round. He is tied for seventh overall, seven shots behind tournament leader Dan Obremski of Coastal Carolina. Pierce was one of six players to record a round of under-par golf on Sunday.

"Today was a great day for Matt," said Vincent. "He started slowly, but made a great recovery. This is huge for his confidence and development."

Klaasen suffered a double-bogey on his opening hole of the day, but recovered to card nine pars and a birdie over the next ten holes. Following a bogey on No. 13, he birdied No. 14 to move to one-over. Klaasen suffered three bogeys over the final four holes to close with an opening round 76. In the afternoon round, he posted three birdies, 12 pars, two bogeys and a double-bogey en route to a one-over 73. He is currently tied for 11th overall at five-over (149).

Senior Michael Schachner is tied for 18th through two rounds after shooting a seven-over 151 on Sunday. The Libertyville, Ill., native had four birdies, seven pars and seven bogeys en route to a three-over 75 in the opening round. Schachner posted 13 pars and a birdie in the second round but had also suffered three bogeys and a double-bogey while shooting a four-over 74.

Sophomore Adam Long got off to a slow start with a seven-over 79 in the first round, before recovering to shoot a three-over 75 in the afternoon session. He is tied for 31st with a 10-over 154. Freshman Wes Roach is also tied for 31st after shooting a 74-80=154 on Sunday.

Duke will begin final round play at 9:40 a.m. on the front side of the TPC of Myrtle Beach on Monday. The Blue Devils will be paired with Coastal Carolina and Louisville.