STATE COLLEGE, Pa., April 26, 2003 - The Penn State men¡¯s golf team pulled away from the field in the second round today to take a four-stroke lead going into the final round of the 27th Annual Rutherford Intercollegiate at the par-72 Penn State Blue Course. The Nittany Lions, with a 36-hole score of 568, will be paired with Maryland and Liberty University, who both posted scores of 572, for the final 18 holes.
After a rain-soaked first round, Penn State found itself five strokes behind early leader Western Kentucky, who shot a 287 over the first 18. The Nittany Lions came back to the drier second round with a vengeance, shaving 16 strokes of their first round total with an impressive 276, which was the best team effort of the day. In fact, nearly the entire 15-team field fared better in the second round, with new pins and better weather.
Senior Jim Fuller (Muskogee, Okla.), the current Big Ten Golfer of the Week, proved to be deserving of the award, shooting a one-under 71 in the first round followed by a five-under 67 in the second round to take the lead going into the final round tomorrow. Jonas Hyden (Saltsjobaden, Sweden), competing as an individual, posted the second-best performance for the Nittany Lions, recording a first-day 142 to get to two under and earn a tie for seventh place.
Ted Neville (Oklahoma City, Okla.) landed in a tie for 12th place after tallying a one-under 143 over the opening rounds. Andrew Price (Mission Viejo, Calif.) and Mark Leon (Brampton, Ontario), who is competing individually after battling a back injury, rounded out the Nittany Lion contingent of the top 20, notching even scores of 144 to earn a tie for 17th place.
Jairo Irreno of James Madison and Bobby MacWhinnie of Maryland posted the best rounds of the day, as both players shot a six-under 66 in the second round.
Penn State will be looking for its 12th-consecutive Rutherford Intercollegiate title when it tees off in the last five threesomes. Final round action is set to begin at 8:00 a.m. Sunday morning, with the Nittany Lions teeing off beginning at 9:30.
Current Team Standings: 1. Penn State 292, 276 - 568 T2. Maryland 295, 277 - 572 T2. Liberty University 293, 279 - 572 T4. Temple 294, 285 - 579 T4. Western Kentucky 287, 292 - 579 6. James Madison 302, 280 - 582 7. Towson 304, 282 - 586 T8. George Mason 298, 289 - 587 T8. Georgetown 298, 289 - 587 10. Bowling Green 305, 293 - 598 11. Akron 311, 288 - 599 12. St. Joseph¡¯s 305, 300 - 605 13. Villanova 300, 306 - 606 14. Richmond 312, 297 - 609 15. St. Bonaventure 318, 293 - 611 Top Ten Individuals: 1. Jim Fuller (PSU) 71, 67 138 T2. Nick Cook (GU) 70, 69 139 T2. Robby Shaw (WKU) 68, 71 139 T4. Jay Woodson (JMU) 73, 68 141 T4. Billy Wingerd (Tow) 73, 68 141 T4. Gerry Chen (Temp) 70, 71 141 T7. Craig Mason (GMU) 72, 70 142 T7. Jay Lindell (SBU) 72, 70 142 T7. James Chan (Temp) 72, 70 142 T7. Paul Carey (LU) 71, 71 142 T7. Jonas Hyden (Ind.-PSU) 75, 67 142
