May 17, 2012
ANN ARBOR, Mich. – The University of Notre Dame men’s golf team opened with a 291 (+7) Thursday to hold a share of ninth place (out of 13 teams) after the first round of the 2012 NCAA Central Regional at the University of Michigan Golf Course. Max Scodro (Chicago, Ill.) and Paul McNamara III (Palos Verdes Estates, Calif.) led the Irish with matching rounds of 70 (-1).
TCU leads after the first day of play by eight shots over second place after carding a 278 (-6). Kent State sits in second at 286 (+2) with Kennesaw State and Virginia tied for third at 287 (+3). Individually, TCU’s Julien Brun, Baylor’s Joakim Mikkelsen and USC’s Anthony Paolucci carded matching scores of 67 (-4) to share the lead.
For the Irish, Scodro fought through a tough three-hole stretch on his opening day that saw him post two bogeys and a double bogey to play the remaining 15 holes at a five-under par clip and finish with his 70. Scodro’s day was highlighted by back-to-back birdies on the seventh and eighth holes, the 16th and 17th holes of Scodro’s round, to pull him back to one under. Overall, the Irish senior is tied for eighth after 18 holes.
McNamara also shares eighth place with Scodro after carding his own 70. The junior played his first nine holes two over par, but aided by four birdies – including two of his final three holes – and only one bogey on the final nine he recovered to finish one under par. McNamara has now posted even-par or better rounds on six occasions this season.
Senior Chris Walker (The Woodlands, Texas) played the steadiest round of golf for the Irish on day one, recording a team-leading 13 pars to compliment two birdies and three bogeys for a score of 72 (+1). Walker, who posted both birdies on his opening nine holes, is tied for 23rd after Thursday’s action.
Senior Tom Usher (Baildon, England) posted an opening round score of 79 (+8) and was the final score counted toward the Irish team total. After struggling on his opening nine holes (41, +6), Usher rebounded on his inward nine with a two-over par, 38 (+2) comprised of two birdies, two bogeys and a double bogey. He sits in a tie for 65th place after the first day.
Sophomore Niall Platt (Santa Barbara, Calif.) did not count toward the team score after opening with an 81 (+10). He carded seven bogeys, two double bogeys and eight pars and posted his lone birdie of the day on the par-5, first hole. Overall, Platt is tied for 72nd.
Notre Dame gets its second round underway with the first of five tee times beginning at 8:50 a.m. (ET) off of the 10th hole. The Irish are set to play alongside Baylor and Ohio State.
For continuing live in-game scoring please visit Golfstat.com and be sure to check back with UND.com following the second round of play for a complete recap of the Irish.
Top Five Teams (after 18 holes):1. TCU 278 -62. Kent State 286 +2T3. Kennesaw State 287 +3T3. Virginia 287 +35. Oregon 288 +4
Top Seven Individuals (after 18 holes):T1. Julien Brun, TCU 67 -4T1. Joakim Mikkelsen, Baylor 67 -4T1. Anthony Paolucci, USC 67 -44. Sebastian MacLean, Xavier 68 -3T5. Albin Choi, N.C. State 69 -2T5. Peder Hermansson, Kennesaw St. 69 -2T5. Bruce Woodall, Virginia 69 -2
Notre Dame Results (after 18 holes):T9. NOTRE DAME 291 +7T8. Max Scodro 70 -1T8. Paul McNamara III 70 -1T23. Chris Walker 72 +1T65. Tom Usher 79 +8T72. Niall Platt 81 +10
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