June 2, 2000

Opelika, Ala.-Four of Clemson's five golfers turned under par for the first nine holes of the NCAA men's golf tournament at Opelika, AL on Friday. The Tigers made the cut in a tie for ninth place on Thursday. Today is moving day as Clemson looks to put itself in position for a top 5 to 10 finish.

Clemson was eight under par as a team at the turn for Friday's first nine holes, putting Clemson six under for the event as a team. That eight under par was third best among the 15 teams still competing, but Clemson has made up just one place in the standings, ranking in eighth place at 2:45 PM Eastern.

Twelve of the 15 teams were under par for the first nine holes on Friday, as NCAA Tournament scoring records are being threatened. Texas holds the lead at 24 under, while Oklahoma State is 23 under, followed by Georgia Tech's 18 under. Arizona and UNLV are 13 under ,followed by North Carolina at 10 under. Arizona had the top score for Friday through nine holes at 12 under for nine holes.

Jani Saari, Clemson's number-five player, was the top player with a three under par 33 for his first nine holes. Clemson is playing the back nine first on Friday. Saari's first nine holes included an eagle three on the 14th hole. He hit his second shot four feet from the pin and made the putt for his first eagle of the event. Saari also had a birdie on the 12th hole when he got up and down from a greenside bunker. He parred all the other holes.

Lucas Glover and John Engler eached turned two under par. Glover, much improved since his 80 on Wednesday in the first round, finished with four consecutive threes. That included a 10 foot putt for birdie on the 16th hole and a five foot putt for birdie on the 18th hole. Engler also birded the 16th hole and he also had a birdie on 14th, as his third shot came within inches of going into the hole.

D.J. Trahan turned one under par. His first nine holes included an eagle at the 12th hole, the second time this week he has eagled the 545 yard par five. This time he hit driver and seven iron to the green. He made a 10 foot putt for the eagle.

Jonathan Byrd had a wild ride to start the round. The senior who had a 69 on Thursday, started birdie, bogey, birdie, bogey, birdie. He had a double bogey six on the 18th hole and finished one over for the first nine holes he played.