The No. 5-ranked Emory University golf team will head into the final day of play at the Jekyll Island Collegiate Invitational in first place. The 54-hole tourney is being played at the 6,700-yard, par-72 Pine Lakes Course on Jekyll Island.
The Eagles, who started the second round in fifth place, fired a team score of one-under 287 to move into the No. 1 slot in the 29-team field with a 36-hole showing of 582. Emory's effort today tied its second-best round of the season. No. 7-ranked Oglethorpe and No. 12 Claremont-Mudd-Scripps are deadlocked for second place, just two strokes behind the Eagles at 584. Oglethorpe finished with the best team round of the day, carding a four-under 284, while CMS recorded a 286. Washington and Lee (288-298—586) is fourth while Illinois Wesleyan and Greensboro are tied for fifth at 587.
Leading the Emory effort on Saturday was freshman Matt Organisak who registered a two-under par 70, giving his a two-round score of 145, good for a 15th-place tie in the 150-player field. Sophomore Stefano Butti fired his second straight one-under 71, and remains the team's top overall scorer through 36 holes at two-under 142, tying for fourth on the leader board. Sophomore Connor Yakubov bounced back in strong fashion, shaving 13 shots off his opening day to finish at even-par 72. Sophomore Noah Apter rounded out the team's second-day scorers with a two-over 74, leaving him at 149, placing him in a tie for 34th place. Junior Keenan Hickton recorded a 77 and stands at 151, tying for 53rd position.
Freshman Sam Galloway (75-75—150) and junior Sean Murphy (76-76—152) are competing as individuals.
The final round will be held on Sunday.