Ball State University Athletics
SMU Moves to Top, Watts 25th after Regional Round 2
May 15, 2015 | Men's Golf
LEADERBOARD | REGIONAL CENTRAL
NOBLESVILLE, Ind. -- Fifth-seeded SMU climbed to the top of the leaderboard Friday on day two of the NCAA Men's Golf Noblesville Regional hosted by Ball State at The Sagamore Club.
After an even-par second round, the Mustangs have three players in the top 10 and are the only team in red figures at 3 under par. First-round leader Colorado (+1) is second, while top-ranked Illinois (+3) is third. UCLA (+6) and UNLV (+9) round out the top five.
The final round is slated for Saturday, and tee times have been moved up to 7 a.m. because of the threat for rain. Live scoring is available at golfstat.com.
The top five teams after Saturday's round will advance to the NCAA Championships, along with the top individual not associated with one of those teams.
UCLA's Jonathan Garrick turned in his second straight round in the 60s with a 68 to move into first place at 7 under, while overnight co-leader David Oraee of Colorado is one shot back in second place. Virginia Tech's Scott Vincent set a competitive course record with a 66 to climb into the top 10.
Ball State freshman Johnny Watts, competing as an individual, is tied for 25th place at 5 over par after a second-round 75.
Oregon is five shots out of the fifth and final NCAA Championships qualifying spot and is the only team within single digits of fifth-place UNLV with one round to play. Two-time defending national champion Alabama is 12 strokes out of the fifth spot.
Watts Stays in Contention
Ball State freshman Johnny Watts remained in the top 25 with a round of 75 to move to 5 over par for the tournament.
The Fishers, Ind., product, playing not far from home, qualified for Regional play after winning the Mid-American Conference Championships.
Watts opened his round on the back nine and dropped a few shots early with bogeys at No. 12, 13 and 14 -- the same stretch where he posted three straight birdies a day earlier. He righted his round with a birdie at 18 and then played steady at 1 over for his final nine holes.
Watts will close out his Regional with a 9:12 a.m. starting time Saturday off the 10th tee.
