Ball State University Athletics
McCormick Clouser Leads at Fighting Irish Classic
September 28, 2014 | Men's Golf
SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Ball State men's golfer McCormick Clouser fired a career-low round of 66 Sunday to grab the early lead at the Fighting Irish Golf Classic.
Clouser made six birdies and one bogey on the opening day at Notre Dame's Warren Golf Course. At 5 under par, the senior holds a one-stroke lead entering round two as play shifts to Lost Dunes Golf Club in Bridgman, Mich.
Ball State turned in a team score of 293 (+9) in the first round and sits in fifth place, eight shots behind tournament leader Notre Dame (+1). Long Beach State (+3), Michigan State (+4) and Loyola (Md.) (+5) round out the top four teams.
Clouser's 66 was the lowest score in competition by a Ball State golfer since Joe Gasser's final-round 65 at the Earl Yestingsmeier Invitational in October 2012. It was the best by a Cardinal away from home since Eric Steger posted rounds of 64 and 65 at the Xavier Renaissance Invitational in November 2009.
Ball State also counted a 73 from Michael Makris and a pair of 77s from Johnny Watts and Michael VanDeventer. Makris is tied for 18th place.
Zach Yinger was the Cardinals' non-counting score on the day with a 78. Albert Jennings, competing as an individual, shot 79.
Clouser had his round to 6 under following back-to-back birdies at the seventh and eight holes before suffering his lone bogey at No. 9, his final hole of the day. He leads by one over Kevin Lee of Long Beach State and Cory Sciupider of Notre Dame.
Ball State's second-round tee times begin Monday at Noon at Lost Dunes. The action will then return to Warren for Tuesday's final round. Live scoring throughout the tournament is available at golfstat.com.
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