(RMC Athletics release)
SILVIS, Ill. – The Rocky Mountain College men’s golf team turned Wednesday’s second round of the 2018 NAIA Men’s Golf National Championship “Moving Day” as the Battlin’ Bears climbed nine positions to rank 12th after the day was complete.
Rocky’s jump was the largest of the day by any team in the field of 29 and came on the strength of a team score 285. The score at 1-over was tied for the third lowest round of the day and has the Battlin’ Bears with 587 strokes through 36 holes.
With 30 birdies during the tournament, Rocky ranks fifth in the field and they posted 19 birdies on Wednesday. The team is shooting 1-under on the par-5 holes.
Reece Nilsen anchored Rocky’s move on Wednesday with a 2-under round of 69. He opened the round with an eagle on No. 10 to spark a day that also featured six birdies. Nilsen moved up 60 positions in the standings – the second highest climb of the day – and currently sits tied for 75th at 8-over 150.
Michael Tait ended the day at 1-under and in a tie for 19th with a two-day score of 143. After going 2-over on the back nine, Tait closed the round with three birdies and six pars on the front.
Colton Murphy shot even-par 71 to end the round in a tie for 54th at 5-over 147. Murphey started the day with a birdie on No. 10 and then ended the day with birdies on No. 8 and No. 9 to give the team three players at even or better in the round.
Mitchell Thiessen used three birdies to carry him to a round of 4-over 75. He is currently tied for 75th in the tournament at 8-over 150.
HoTae Kim matched his opening round 78 to finish the day tied for 111th at 14-over 156.
Coastal Georgia moved into the lead after shooting 1-over 285. They are one shot clear of Dalton State with Oklahoma City and first round leader Keiser seven shots back.
S.M. Lee from Dalton State moved to the top of the individual leaderboard after his 3-under second round has him 5-under for the tournament. He holds a two shot lead over Ben Kendrick of University of the Cumberlands.
The Battlin’ Bears will start the Thursday’s third round on hole No. 10 at 11:30 a.m. MT. The field will be cut to the top 17 and ties at the end of the day.
