Duke Dominant on First Day at Grandover

Sunday, October 30

Greensboro, N.C.

All Day

Duke University

Day One at Bridgestone Golf Collegiate

Duke Dominant on First Day at Grandover

10/30/2016 7:35:00 PM | Men's Golf

Results

By: Duke Sports Information

GREENSBORO, N.C. – The Duke men's golf team fired the best round in program history on Sunday afternoon en route to claiming the 36-hole lead at the Bridgestone Golf Collegiate at Grandover Resort.

The Blue Devils shot 267 (-21) in Sunday's second round, shattering the previous program 18-hole records by both score and par. Duke finished the day with a total of 550 (-26) and holds a seven-stroke lead over Northwestern with one round left to play.

The team's performance also marked the second-best 36-hole performance in program history by par and the third-best mark in school history by score.

“We got off to a very good start in the afternoon,” Duke head coach Jamie Green said. “When guys are in that place, it's fun to watch and fun to coach. We knew the golf course would lend itself to some low scores. The greens here are very receptive. I'm very proud of the guys for executing the game plan at a very high level.

“There have been so many great players at Duke, so it's nice to break that record and do it close to home where we have a few more family members out here to watch our guys. Our work isn't done yet because there are a lot of good teams out here and there will be some low scores tomorrow, but we're excited about the way we executed today.”

Duke got a scorching performance from freshman Chandler Eaton on Sunday as a second-round 65 (-7) – his collegiate best – propelled him to a share of the 36-hole lead. With a total of 136 (-8), Eaton is part of a three-man group deadlocked into the top spot heading into the final round.

The Alpharetta, Ga., native carded seven birdies and an eagle during his dominant second round while posting only two bogeys.

“Chandler has such a calm, cool demeanor and he looks unflappable out there,” Green said. “You can't tell if he's even par or eight-under. His play recently has built his confidence. He has plenty of talent to compete at this level, and he has handled the adjustment to college golf very well. He rolls with everything and doesn't get bent out of shape when a curveball comes his way.”

Senior Max Greyserman was also in red numbers in both rounds, posting a total of 137 (-7) to finish the day in a tie for fourth place. Greyserman finished strong on Sunday with birdies on two of his last three holes to get within one shot of the lead.

“Max really took advantage of the par-fives today,” Green said. “He strikes the ball so well and has very high standards for himself. When you put someone like him on a golf course like this, he can pick away at it and put up good scores.”

Sophomore Alex Smalley is tied for seventh after the first day of play, bouncing back from a one-over 73 in the morning to shoot 65 (-7) in the second round for a total of 138. Smalley got off to a scorching start in the second round, birdying his first six holes to put himself in the hunt early.

“Alex isn't afraid of firing at the flag and he isn't afraid of making birdies,” Green said. “He's such a good iron player and when the greens are receptive like they were today, he's flag-hunting. He was frustrated in the early part of the day, so birdying the last two holes of the first round likely jumpstarted his second round. The transition was seamless from round-to-round, so that helped him keep the ball rolling.”

Juniors Adam Wood and Jake Shuman are tied for 22nd and 27th, respectively, with totals of 141 (-3) and 142 (-2).

Senior Alexander Matlari led a group of five Duke players competing as individuals with a total of 142 (-2), good for a tie for 27th after Sunday's action. Junior Ben Silverman shot 69 (-3) on Sunday afternoon and is tied for 31st with a total of 143 (-1).

Sophomore Shrish Dwivedi shot even-par 72 in both rounds Sunday to wrap up the day in a tie for 37th place. Senior Andrew Bieber shot 157 (+13) to finish Sunday in a tie for 79th, while freshman Steven DiLisio shot 161 (+17) to conclude the day in 83rd place.

The final round of the Bridgestone Golf Collegiate will get underway with a shotgun start at 8:30 a.m. ET on Monday. Live scoring is available via golfstatresults.com.

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