June 1, 2006
SUNRIVER, Ore. - Playing through a light drizzle of rain through most of the round, the Arizona State University men's golf team posted a round of 9-under (279) to move to 10-under for the week and a tie for second place following the second day of action at the 109th NCAA Golf Championships Thursday in Sunriver, Ore. The tournament, which continues through Saturday, is being held on the 7,630-yard, par-72 Crosswater Club Course on the Sunriver Resort.
"It was a very good day," Head Coach Randy Lein said following the second round. "We had maybe a little more wind for us yesterday afternoon. Today, it really isn't raining. It's more of a mist so it's more of a nuisance than anything. The greens are a little bit smoother. I saw some more putts made today than I did yesterday, but I'd say the course is pretty comparable."
The Sun Devils, who trail Washington by three strokes and are tied with Wake Forest for second place, saw both Alejandro Canizares and Niklas Lemke shoot under par to push the team up the leader board. Canizares fired the low round of the day for the Sun Devils and in the field as he completed the round with a 6-under 66 to climb into a tie for sixth place individually at 5-under on the week. Lemke shot under par for the second day in a row as he carded a 4-under 68 to move into a tie for second place with three other players at 6-under.
"The greens are a little better right now than they will be later this afternoon," Lemke said. "I'm from Sweden so it's pretty much like home. There's not a big difference. I saved myself on the greens during both rounds. I had 21 putts yesterday and I didn't have many more today. I haven't been hitting the ball very good, but every time I've been in trouble I pretty much saved myself. Hopefully I'll hit the ball a little better the next two days and keep on putting the way I've been putting."
Lenny Park continued his consistent play as he finished the day even to remain at 1-under on the tournament and move into a tie for 23rd overall. Phil Telliard carded a 1-over 73 on the day to move up into a tie for 92nd at 4-over with teammate Benjamin Alvarado Holley, who finished with a 3-over 75 on Thursday.
Arizona State, which is making its 44th appearance at the national tournament, continues play Friday morning with the Sun Devils starting at 7:00 a.m. from the first tee. Following the third round, the field of 30 teams will cut to 15 for the final round set for Saturday.
109th NCAA Golf Championships
Crosswater Club - Sunriver, Ore.
Day 2 Results
T-2. Niklas Lemke: -6 (70-68=138)
T-6. Alejandro Canizares: - 5 (74-66=139)
T-23. Lenny Park: -1 (71-72=143)
T-92. Benjamin Alvarado Holley: +4 (73-75=148)
T-92. Phil Telliard: +4 (75-73=148)
Team Standings
1. Washington, -13 (563)
2. Arizona State, -10 (566)
2. Wake Forest, -10 (566)
4. Florida, -7 (569)
6. Clemson, -6 (570)
6. Kentucky, -6 (570)