By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information

JACKSON, Tenn. – With two rounds of action complete at the Grover Page Classic, the Tennessee Tech men's golf team positioned itself perfectly for a chance at taking home the title at Jackson Country Club Monday.

The Golden Eagles fired off rounds of 286 and 282 to sit 8-under at 568 through the first two rounds of play at the par-72, 6,783-yard course. The purple and gold trailed host UT Martin by eight strokes heading into the final round, holding a one-shot advantage over New Orleans. Individually, it was Southern Illinois' Matthis Besard leading the field of 92 golfers with a 68-66=134.

Sitting on top of the leaderboard for the Tech lineup through day one was junior Chance Taylor, tying for fourth place with scores of 2-under 70 and a career-low-tying 4-under 68. The Gate City, Va. native produced a 138 to sit 6-under and led the entire field in par-four scoring, finishing 7-under for the day. He also tied for the second-most birdies in the field with 11, including five in the first round and six more in the second.

Next up for the Golden Eagles on the day one rankings was Nick Sutton, delivering a 72-68=140 to sit at 4-under. Tied for sixth overall, the sophomore delivered four birdies in the first round and came through with five more, as well as an eagle, over the next 18 holes. Sutton also tied for the tournament lead in par-five scoring, completing the two rounds at 7-under in the category.

Tying for 10^th overall with a 3-under 141 was senior Bracton Womack. The veteran from McMinnville, Tenn. carded a 1-over 73 over the opening 18 holes with a pair of birdies. He erupted for a 4-under 68 in his second trip around the course, contributing six birdies to the mix.

Returning freshman Mark McDearman finished next among the Tech lineup, completing the day with a 149 total behind scores of 73 and 76. Tied for 45^th, the youngster put together five total birdies through the first two rounds.

Making his collegiate debut, true freshman Avery Irwin rounded out the group counting towards team scores with rounds of 79 and 76 for a 155. After turning in his first career birdie in the first round, the Belleville, Ill. native doubled the output with two in the second round, as well as his first career eagle.

Competing in his first event in the purple and gold as an individual, redshirt freshman Jackson Skeen tied with Taylor for fourth overall in the tournament field. The Tennessee transfer ripped off a first-round 68 and followed it with a 70 in round two, sitting at 6-under 138. He tied with Taylor for the second-most birdies in the field as well, totaling 11.

The third and final round of the Grover Page Classic will commence at 8:00 a.m. CT. 

Photo by Ryne Rickman, UT Martin Media Relations