KOHLER, Wis. (Seminoles.com) – Workmanlike efforts from redshirt junior Cristobal Del Solar, senior Rowin Caron and freshman Corey Carlson helped No. 2 seed Florida State Men’s Golf position itself nicely in the second round of the NCAA Kohler Regional at Blackwolf Run Meadow Valley Course.
While the Seminoles shot 2-over (290) compared to their 4-under performance on Monday, FSU is entrenched in its low-five spot needed to advance to the NCAA Championship in Eugene, Ore. FSU is in third place at 2-under overall, trailing leader Florida (-11) by nine strokes and top-seeded Illinois (-4) by two strokes.
Behind the Seminoles are fourth-place Arkansas (even), fifth-place Idaho (+6), Baylor (+8), South Dakota State (+11), Kent State (+12), UCLA (+12), East Tennessee State (+12), Penn State (+14), Memphis (+15) and Campbell (+22).
Wednesday marks the final round of the NCAA Kohler Regional, with FSU looking to advance to its fifth consecutive NCAA Championship.
“We took advantage of the par 5’s today and looked in control of our games for most of the day,” FSU head coach Trey Jones said. “We got frustrated at times and that is a sign of trying too hard and not being in the present.”
With FSU accumulating 20 holes played on the par 5 holes on Tuesday (four per player), the Seminoles registered 10 birdies. Carlson, who shot one stroke lower than his first-round score, recorded birdies on all four holes played including a key one on the 590-yard 16th hole. The freshman is tied for 18th among all players in the field, while FSU has four players in Hank Lebioda (tied for sixth), Del Solar (tied for sixth) and Caron (tied for 10th) who rank in the Top 20.
FSU is second among all teams in par 5 scoring with an average score of 4.60, shooting 16-under for the tournament. The Noles have been solid all season on par 4 holes as well, and are currently second among the 13 teams at 8-over on those holes.
Del Solar provided the highlight of the day with his team-leading third eagle of the season on the par-5, 522-yard 11th hole. The native of Chile finished strong on the back nine, shooting 1-under on holes 10-18. Del Solar is currently 1-under overall.
Caron delivered nothing but pars on his back nine while adding three birdies along with a double bogey and a bogey on the front nine, finishing at even par. The senior is also even through the first two rounds.
“I am pleased that we had all five guys in the round again, and look forward to a good finish on Wednesday,” Jones added.
Lebioda finished 2-over on the day and is currently 1-under overall. His birdie on the 11th hole was a historic one, recording his 455th career birdie to surpass former player Brooks Koepka (454) for the most in FSU history.
Lee finished 2-over on Tuesday and is tied for 28th overall.
-Seminoles.com-
