Painter's 69 helps lift Tech into fourth at Sea Trail tourney

SUNSET BEACH, N.C. -- Tennessee Tech senior Greyson Painter blistered the course for a three-under-par 69 Saturday , bumping him into second place individually and helping to lift the Tennessee Tech's men's golf team into a tie for fourth place among the 18 teams at the 54-hole Sea Trail Intercollegiate.

Tech is just two strokes out of second place heading into Sunday's final round.

In the team standings, Murray State pulled away from the pack with a 283 Saturday for a 36-hole total 578, grabbing a 14-shot lead over second place Belmont Abbey (592). USC Upstate is third at 593, while Tech and Guilford College are tied for forurth at 594.

Elon University is three shots back at 597, with Wofford and Stetson tied at 598 and Radford, Appalachian State and Houston Baptist all tied at 599.

Murray State's Hunter Ford holds the 36-hole lead at 141, one shot ahead of Painter who followed his opening round 73 with Saturday's 69. It equals the best round turned in so far during the tournament.

Senior John Fox and junior Wesley Korth each shot rounds of 76 on Saturday. For Fox, it was a three-shot slip after an opening round 73, and puts him in a tie for 26th place at 149. For Korth, it matched his first round score, putting him at 152 and tied for 48th place.

The Golden Eagles, playing their first event under first-year coach Craig King, gort much improved scores from their fourth and fifth players. Senior Josh Simer followed Friday's 80 with a 73 on Saturday, and is tied for 54th place at 153. Senior Jake Heatherly improved eight strokes on day two, going from an 82 to a 73, and is tied for 71st place at 156.


The Golden Eagles, playing their first event under first-year coach Craig King, gort much improved scores from their fourth and fifth players. Senior Josh Simer followed Friday's 80 with a 73 on Saturday, and is tied for 54th place at 153. Senior Jake Heatherly improved eight strokes on day two, going from an 82 to a 73, and is tied for 71st place at 156.