SANDESTIN, Fla. – Appalachian State improved its score by two strokes in the second round of the 2018 Sun Belt Men's Golf Championship on Monday, finishing the day in eighth place with one round remaining in stroke play.
The 54-hole stroke play portion of the tournament wraps up Tuesday. The top four teams in the standings at that point will advance to Wednesday's semifinal and final match-play portion to determine the conference champion.
After two rounds, App State sits in eight with a score of 598 (300-298). Just 10 strokes separate the Mountaineers from fourth-place UT Arlington (588), and only 12 strokes separate them from second-place Georgia Southern (586). Behind leader Coastal Carolina (569), only 14 strokes separate the teams from the 2-11 positions, meaning a lot of shuffling can take place Tuesday.
"The team is hitting the ball very well but not making many putts," head coach
Bo Redman said. "If we can make some putts tomorrow we can still make it to match play."
Tripp Summerlin carded his second straight 1-under 70 to put him at 2-under 140 over the first two days. The sophomore from Summerfield, N.C., enters the final round in fourth place on the individual leaderboard.
"Tripp is in a great position and playing fantastic," Redman added. "He is driving the ball very well right now, and that is very important on this course."
Behind Summerlin, junior
Alex Burris has been the steadiest App performer in Sandestin. After an opening-round 72, he shot 74 on Monday for a two-day total of 4-over 146. He sits in a tie for 12th place entering the final round.
Summerlin collected a team-high four birdies Monday, while Burris and junior
Chance Watson contributed three birdies apiece.
App State will be paired with Louisiana and South Alabama on Tuesday. They will tee off beginning at 8:15 a.m. CT.
