David Suggs Tied for Lead at NCAA Regional
6/21/1999 12:00:00 AM | Men's Golf
May 21, 1999
Columbus, Ohio - University of Missouri men's golfer DAVID SUGGS (70-71=141) fired a one-under par 71 today in the second round of the NCAA Central Regional, and finds himself tied for first with a two-round total of 141. He's tied with James McLean (69-72=141) of Minnesota, who is the defending NCAA individual champion. McLean shot an even-par 72 on the day.
Suggs, a junior from St. Charles, Mo., was tied for sixth entering today's second round, but moved up with his one-under 71, which was surpassed by only two other golfers on the day. Play continues with the final 18 holes tomorrow. The regional features 21 teams, with the top 10 teams and two individuals advancing to the NCAA Championships, to be held June 2-5 at Hazeltine National Golf Club, in Chaska, Minn.
Suggs was one-over through his first nine holes today, but got in the groove when he birdied hole No. 12 and shortly followed that with an eagle on No. 14.
"I started off with birdie on the first hole, and felt good early," said Suggs. "On the second hole, I had a short birdie putt that I barely missed. Then I got into a stretch where I struggled a little bit. I was trying to hang on through it, and I found my rhythm on No. 12. That birdie gave me some confidence, and I was able to a little more aggressive, and I was able to eagle 14. Overall, I played pretty solid. Again, the course is playing so difficult that you can't be too aggressive. It's hard to go out and make a lot of birdies. Tomorrow, I'm just going to go out with the same plan of hitting fairways and playing it safe on the greens. It's worked well so far," he said.
"David is playing beyond his years right now," said MU Head Coach TIM ROBYN. "He's playing with a lot of patience. He's letting things happen instead of forcing them on a course where there's no room to do that. He's making birdies when they come, he's putting it well and driving it well. We're looking forward to tomorrow," he said.
Suggs led Missouri this season with a career-best 74.56 per-round average, nearly a full two-and-a-half strokes better than his career average of 76.99, entering the 1998-99 season. Suggs ranked among the Big 12 leaders for most of the season, and has amassed seven top-10 finishes this year, including two runner-up efforts - at Arkansas State in April and at Southwest Missouri State last October.
Suggs' post-season appearance is the first for the St. Charles, Mo., native, and his presence adds to a long line of individuals and teams which have represented Missouri in the NCAA Tournament. Poplar Bluff's Colby Robertson played in the 1998 Central Regional, and he finished 15th individually - just two strokes from advancing to the NCAA Championships. Jason Schultz of Columbia appeared in the 1996 Central Regional.
