June 1, 2010
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Complete Round One Results
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn - Making its second appearance in three years, Penn State's men's golf team finished round one at NCAA Nationals in 26th place at +13 (301). Junior Tommy McDonagh (East Norwalk, Conn.) led the Nittany Lions with a 71, which was one-under par at the Honors Course.
"It went pretty well," said McDonagh of his first round effort. "(I was) a little shaky to start off - kind of nervous as always playing with everybody here. I came into my own on the front nine after starting on the back." McDonagh is currently tied for 25th in the 156-player field.
Redshirt-junior T.J. Howe (Osceola, Pa.), who finished first for the Nittany Lions at the Northeast Regional, carded a 76 (+4) on the day. Senior Jim Markovitz (Bridgeville, Pa.) and freshman Ernie Marin (Miami, Fla.) were both +5 on the day at 77. Senior Kevin Foley (Somerville, N.J.) tallied a 79 in the first round and is +7.
"We started on some tough holes today, and hole 12 beat us up bad," said Penn State head coach Greg Nye. "I thought the guys hung in very well and played the last nine very well.
"Our team score will have to be at least 10 shots better in round two to get back into the race for match play."
Oklahoma State and Florida State are currently tied for first at -5 (283).
Penn State qualified for Nationals with a fourth-place finish at the Northeast Regional. Howe finished the Regional in a tie for a lead, marking the best regional finish ever by a Nittany Lion golfer. The Nittany Lions are one of only two Big Ten teams in the 30-team field, which also includes the Fighting Illini.
NCAA action continues Wednesday with Round Two. The Nittany Lions' tee time for Round Two is 1:17 p.m. at the Honors Course in Chattanooga, Tenn.