Rebels Shine at The Open Course Invitational

The Rebels are in South Carolina for the Ocean Course Invitational. (Photo by Ole Miss Athletics)

KIAWAH ISLAND, S.C. – Senior Ben Wolcott and sophomore Braden Thornberry help lead the Ole Miss men’s golf team to third-place on the leaderboard after day one at The Open Course Invitational Monday.

Wolcott fired a pair of 2-under par 70s and Thornberry post a 4-under 68 and even 72 to finish tied for sixth place after two rounds at the par-72 7,115 yard Ocean Course. Thornberry is second in tallying birdies on the tournament with 12 through 36 holes. The team total of 15-under par 561 puts the Rebels five strokes behind the leader Middle Tennessee.

Junior college transfer Kerrey Sweeney and freshman Brody Blackmon found the top-15 in their debuts as Rebels, as Sweeney fired a second round score of 4-under 68 to finish 3-under at 141 on the day and in a tie for 14th overall . Leading the individual competitors, Blackmon post an opening round 5-under 67 and is tied for sixth through two rounds. The Sulphur Springs, Texas native fired the Rebels only eagle of the first day on the 430-yard, par 4 No. 10. Redshirt sophomore Josh Seiple finished the day  2-under par and tied for 23rd in his first tournament back after missing last season with an injury. Redshirt senior Noah West fired a pair of even par-72s and is tied for 36th place heading into tomorrow’s third and final round.

“We had so many positives in our first day of competition for the season,” said Rebel head coach Chris Malloy. “I am extremely encouraged by the consistency each of our guys showed. They each contributed and have put us in a position to win the tournament tomorrow. We need to clean up some simple mistakes and be ready for a great test of golf tomorrow. I know that they are excited for the opportunity.”

The Rebels tee off the final round tomorrow morning at 6:30a.m. CST. Fans can follow live stats by downloading the Ole Miss Athletics mobile app or at the Golfstat website. For all Ole Miss Men’s golf news and information, follow the Rebels on Twitter at @OleMissMGolf, on Instagram at OleMissMGolf and on Facebook at facebook.com/OleMissMGolf. Fans can also follow head coach Chris Malloy on Twitter @CoachMalloy12.

Individual Results
T6. Ben Wolcott 70-70-140
T6. Braden Thornberry 68-72–140
T6. *Brody Blackmon 67-73–140
T14. Kerry Sweeney 73-68–141

Team Results:
1. Middle Tennessee St. 281-275–556
2. Georgia State 270-289–559
T3. Ole Miss 279-282–561
T3. Augusta 284-277–561
5. College of Charleston 280-284–564
6. West Virginia 284-285–569
T7. Maryland 290-281–571
T7. Georgia Southern 289-282–571
9. Coastal Carolina 287-288–575
T10. Troy 286-293–579
T10. Winthrop 291-288–579
12. VCU 298-284–582
T13. South Alabama 293-292–585
T13. Cincinnati 295-290–585
15. Charleston Southern 290-298–588
16. Francis Marion 300-300–600
T23. Josh Seiple 69-73–142
T36. Noah West 72-72–144

By Ole Miss Athletics. For more information contact saoubre@go.olemiss.edu.

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