The No. 2 ranked Emory men's golf team hosted a tournament for the second straight weekend, hosting the Discover Dekalb Invitational in Conyers, Georgia at Cherokee Run Golf Club. The tournament opened on Saturday afternoon with two rounds of play. Emory got off to a strong start, with the Eagles' A-Team lineup sitting in first place with a 596 (+20) after 36 holes. Propelled by a strong second round on Saturday, the Eagles' B-Team sits in fourth with a two-round score of 613 (+37). Washington and Lee shooting a 600 (+24) and Averett University's two-round score of 607 (+31) rounds out the top-three. The event was played at Cherokee Run's Par-72, 6,885-yard course.
As a team, the Eagles' A-Team lineup is dominating Par 4s. Emory is shooting 29 over par as a team on these holes, eight strokes better than the next closest team.
Junior Michael Burry had a strong close to his day, finishing his second round with a 71 (-1) and bringing his score to 145 (+1). Burry's first round was slightly rocky, seeing his score rise to five over par after 15 holes. Yet, a birdy and an eagle on the final two holes saw him salvage a first-round score of 74 (+2). Burry's second round was clinical, with his 71 being the best score of any golfer on Saturday. His dominant second round sees him enter Sunday with sole possession of first place with a three-stroke cushion. Burry competed alongside the A-Team lineup.
Freshman Kevin Mu was impressive for the A-Team lineup as well, shooting a 150 (+6) on Saturday. Mu was steady during his first 18 holes, with one birdy and four bogeys to turn in a 75 (+3). Mu hovered around even in his second round as well, finishing with another 75. Mu is tied for the most pars of any golfer in the tournament, having knocked in 26 over two rounds. He is tied for fifth and five strokes back from his teammate, Burry.
Junior Josh Qian also had a solid Saturday, carding a two-round score of 153 (+9). Qian had the top score in the first round for the A-Team, turning in a 73 (+1). He finished his day with a 80 (+8) in the second round. He knocked in seven birdies, five of which came in his first round. He'll enter the final round tied for 15th and eight shots off the lead.
Senior Jackson Klutznick struggled in his opening nine holes, seeing his score inflate to seven over par after nine holes. He found trouble on the eighth hole, a 510-yard Par-5, with a quadruple bogey. Yet, he settled down to finish his opening round with a 77 (+5). Klutznick shot another 77 in his final round of the day bringing his total to 154 (+10). He is tied for 17th and nine strokes off of Burry.
Rounding out the A-Team lineup's scores were senior Michael Rosenbloom, shooting a 156 (+12) and sophomore Brian Hanson with a 163 (+19). They enter Sunday tied for 23rd and 49th, respectively.
The B-Team received a well-rounded performance from each golfer in the lineup.
Freshman Brady Lagendyk was the top performer for the B-Team, shooting a 150 (+6) to sit tied for fifth and just five strokes back of Burry. He also struggled a bit in his opening round, shooting a 78 (+6). But he reigned it in with a very impressive 72 (E) in his final round. He tapped in two bogeys and two birdies in his final round while racking up 14 pars.
Senior Logan Lowery was close behind, shooting a 152 (+8). He struggled in his opening round, turning in an 80 (+8). Yet, his second round was dominant, turning in a 72 (E) with four birdies in the round. He'll enter Sunday seven strokes off the lead and tied for 13th.
Playing in his second event of the year and first event of the spring, junior Prayaag Oruganti had a solid day on the course, turning in a 155 (+11) and having one of Emory's two eagles on Saturday. He shot a 79 (+7) in his first round and a 76 (+4) in the second. He'll enter Sunday tied for 19th and 10 strokes off the lead.
Also making their first appearances of the spring were sophomore Parker Shimp and freshman Dustin Miller. Shimp found trouble in his opening round, with three double bogeys, but kept himself in contention with two birdies and a 77 (+5). He went on to shoot a 79 (+7) in his second round and place him tied for 23rd with a two-round score of 156 (+12). Miller finished his day with a 160 (+16) tied for 43rd.
The Eagles will wrap up the event on Sunday with a final 18 holes. Sunday's round will get started at 9:00 AM at Cherokee Run Golf Club.