Merzbacher, Mattner Move into Contention for Title

February 27, 2016 | Men's Golf

Feb. 27, 2016

TEAM LEADERBOARD | PLAYER LEADERBOARD | PAIRINGS

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. -- Chad Merzbacher and Nicklas Mattner sit in the top 10 and are in contention for the individual tournament title entering the final round of play at the John Hayt Collegiate Invitational.

Team Scores

1. Oklahoma State: 300-281--581 (+5)
2. North Florida: 293-292--585 (+9)
T3. Tennessee: 305-288--593 (+17)
T3. Jacksonville: 299-294--593 (+17)
5. UAB: 307-289--596 (+20)
T6. East Carolina: 310-289--599 (+23)
T6. UCLA: 303-296--599 (+23)
T6. North Texas: 302-297--599 (+23)
9. Louisville: 301-299--600 (+24)
10. Liberty: 305-302--607 (+31)
11. Army West Point: 315-293--608 (+32)
T12. Furman: 313-301--614 (+38)
T12. Coastal Carolina: 303-311--614 (+38)
14. Tulsa: 315-300--615 (+39)
15. UCF: 321-312--633 (+57)

Individual Scores

T1. Brendon Jelley (Oklahoma State): 70-68--138 (-6)
T1. Phillip Knowles (North Florida): 70-71--141 (-3)
T3. Cory Churchman (North Texas): 75-67--142 (-2)
T3.Martin Rohwer (UAB): 76-68--144 (E)
T5. Chad Merzbacher (Tennessee): 75-70--145 (+1)

Tennessee Scores

T5. Chad Merzbacher: 75-70--145 (+1)
T7. Nicklas Mattner: 72-74--146 (+2)
T28. Juan Carlos Serrano: 80-70--150 (+6)
T36. Lorenzo Scalise: 78-75--153 (+9)
T46. Michael Nagy: 80-74--154 (+10)
T68. Jack Smith (I): 77-81--158 (+14)

Merzbacher climbed 13 spots up the leaderboard after shooting a 2-under 70 in the second round. He birdied three Saturday compared to only one bogey. Merzbacher's 70 moves him to 1-over for the tournament.

Mattner followed his relative-to-par career-low 72 with a 2-over 74 in the second round. The freshman was relatively even keel in the round, scoring par on all but two holes. Mattner enters the final round at 2-over and tied for seventh.

Tennessee moved in to a tie for third after shooting a second round 288 (E), one of only two teams to shoot even or below par. The Vols entered Saturday in a tie for eighth.

Juan Carlos Serrano Guevara birdied an impressive eight holes on the day, finishing the round with a 2-under 70. His Saturday performance boosted him in to a tie for 28th at 6-over.

Senior Michael Nagy shot a 2-over 74 and birdied four in the second round. He is 10-over for the tournament. Lorenzo Scalise finished the round with a 3-over 75 and is 9-over for the tournament.

Chip-Ins

Entering the round in a tie for fifth place, freshman Nicklas Mattner performed well with the pressure on. The freshman carded a 2-over 74 and is 2-over after two rounds. Mattner is in title contention entering the final round for the first time in his collegiate career.

Mattner's best collegiate finish is a tie for 57th at the Sea Best Invitational.

Chad Merzbacher's 2-under 70 moved him near the top of the leaderboard. Currently at 1-over and in a tie for fifth, Merzbacher will compete for his first collegiate individual title and 11th career top 10 finish.

Merzbacher is playing in the final group for the first time this season.

Juan Carlos Serrano Guevara carded an individual round season-low with his 2-under 70. He birdied eight, including all four par-5 holes.

What's Next

Final round play at the Hayt begins Sunday morning. Tennessee will play along North Florida and tournament leader Oklahoma State. The Vols are playing in the top grouping on the final day for the first time this season. Tee times are as follows (all times ET):

7:39 a.m. - Jack Smith (competing as individual)

9 a.m. - Michael Nagy

9:09 a.m. - Lorenzo Scalise

9:18 a.m. - Juan Carlos Serrano Guevara

9:27 a.m. - Nicklas Mattner

9:36 a.m. - Chad Merzbacher

For more information on the tournament, John Hayt Invitational homepage .

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