April 30, 2012
Interview with Coach Kubinski (courtesy BIG EAST Conference)
Interview with M. Scodro (courtesy BIG EAST Conference)
ORLANDO, Fla. – The University of Notre Dame men’s golf team widened its lead to seven strokes at the 2012 BIG EAST Championship after posting a 286 (-2) Monday at the Reunion Resort Watson Course. Overall, the Irish now hold a score of 570 (-6) and represent the lone team under par after two days.
“I thought we played very well going out today,” said Irish head coach Jim Kubinski. “The first nine hasn’t been our better nine, looking at both the match play event and yesterday. We did a great job on it today. We gave a couple shots up coming in but played well. The wind was gusting at 25 miles per hour, so hitting it close became a challenge.”
Louisville remains second place, but now trail by seven shots overall after finishing its second day at four over (292) to now sit at 577 (+1) after 36 holes. St. John’s rounds out the top three at eight over (584) with Villanova only one shot behind the Red Storm at 585 (+9). Notre Dame’s Max Scodro (Chicago, Ill.) captured the individual lead after a second round 68 (-4).
Scodro played a near bogey-free round Monday, opening his day with three birdies, 12 pars and an eagle-3 on the par-5 eighth hole. The Irish senior then suffered his lone setback of the day on 17, recording a bogey-6 on the final par five of the afternoon. Overall, Scodro has made easy work of the par fives, playing them at six under through two rounds, the best of any player in the field. He currently leads the field by two shots with two rounds in the books.
“Max played a fantastic round,” remarked Kubinski. “Especially in the conditions out there today.”
Paul McNamara III (Palos Verdes Estates, Calif.) nearly posted red figures for the second consecutive day for the Irish, finishing with an even par, 72. The junior played the front nine at two under, but finished with a two-over par back nine to close out his round. Overall, McNamara remains in the hunt for individual medalist honors in a tie for third at 140 (-4).
Chris Walker (The Woodlands, Texas) matched McNamara on day two, posting his own 72 (E). The senior played steady golf on the round, posting 14 pars to go along with a pair of birdies and bogeys. Sitting at one over on the day, Walker used a birdie on the 16th hole to return to even par as his round came to a close. With a pair of even par rounds to begin his tournament, Walker is tied for sixth at 144.
“I thought Paul and Chris battled hard today too,” stated Kubinski. “Chris has done a great job both days staying right in there.”
Sophomore Niall Platt (Santa Barbara, Calif.) and senior Tom Usher (Baildon, England) rounded out the rotation, carding identical scores of 74 (+2). Platt’s round featured three birdies, four bogeys, eight pars and a double bogey, while Usher marked down two birdies, two bogeys, 13 pars and a double bogey. Overall, Platt is tied for 23rd at 149 (+5) and Usher sits in a tie for 42nd at 153 (+9).
“It was big today to have all five in there throughout the round,” expressed Kubinski. “I like our attitude. I think we’re hitting it well. We’re due for a big day with the putter. We’ll rest up tonight and take the same approach we’ve taken into tomorrow’s final round.”
Notre Dame concludes the BIG EAST Championship Tuesday in pairings with Louisville and St. John’s. The first Irish tee time is scheduled to begin at 8:50 a.m. (ET) off of the first tee. Live scoring can be tracked via Golfstat.com and be sure to check back with UND.com for a complete of the Irish as they look to repeat as BIG EAST champs.
Top Six Teams (after 36 holes):1. Notre Dame 570 -62. Louisville 577 +13. St. John's 584 +84. Villanova 585 +9T5. Connecticut 591 +15T5. Georgetown 591 +15
Top Five Individuals (after 36 holes):1. Max Scodro, ND 137 -72. Justin Dorward, UL 139 -5T3. Paul McNamara III, ND 140 -4T3. Michael Kania, VU 140 -45. Taylor Hall, GU 141 -3
Notre Dame Results (after 36 holes):1. NOTRE DAME 570 -61. Max Scodro 137 -7T3. Paul McNamara III 140 -4T6. Chris Walker 144 ET23. Niall Platt 149 +5T42. Tom Usher 153 +9
–ND–