Oct. 24, 2009
FOREST OAKS, N.C. - Juniors Erich Johnston and Nakarintra Ratanakul both posted red numbers on Saturday and the Purdue men's golf team was one stroke under par in the second round to finish the opening day of the UNCG Bridgestone Collegiate in eighth place.
After kicking off the day with a one-over 289, the Boilermakers fired a team total of 287 (-1) in the afternoon to finish the day with an even-par total of 576. Purdue was one of eight teams at level or better on Saturday, and trail leader and Big Ten foe Michigan by 16 strokes with a final round to play on Sunday.
Johnston wrapped up play on day one in a tie for 10th place after carding rounds of 71 (-1) and 69 (-3) to record a total of 140 (-4). The Fort Wayne, Ind., native's second-round performance matched the second-best round of his collegiate career, which he established at this season's Olympia Fields Invitational.
Ratanakul opened the day in style with a two-under 70, equaling his season best, in the first round before playing at level par in the second. He will tee off tomorrow morning in a tie for 18th with a 36-hole total of 142.
Sophomore William Sjaichudin also played the second round at even par on Saturday, grabbing a share of 34th place with a total of 145 (+1). Classmate Tyler Duncan finished the opening day of play in a 69th-place tie with a total of 152 (+8), while fellow sophomore Scott Busch played into a tie for 79th with a total of 156 (+12).
The final round of the Bridgestone Collegiate will begin at 8:30 a.m. ET on Sunday with players starting on the first and 10th tees. Live results will be available at golfstat.com.