ST. SIMONS ISLAND, Ga. – Led by senior Andrew Lister, Texas A&M charged up the leaderboard at the 2016 SEC Men's Golf Championship on Saturday to claim third place in the team standings and position the Aggies for a shot at a conference title during Sunday's final round.
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Entering the day in sixth place, the Aggies (287-283=570, +10) tied for the day's lowest team round on Sea Island Golf Club's Seaside Course to move up behind only Kentucky (+6) and Georgia (+8) in the team standings.
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"The guys played with a lot of heart today," Texas A&M head coach J.T. Higgins said. "We got off to an awful start. I think we were seven or eight over through our first six holes and it looked like the end was near, but they really kept it together and battled to the end."
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Lister (74-66=140, E) stood out among the 70-player field by turning in the day's lowest scorecard. The San Diego, Calif., native sat at even par through seven holes Saturday but ended the round on a tear, collecting birdies on four of his final 11 holes while posting no bogies. He owns a tie for third in the individual standings and sits just two shots back of leader Lee McCoy of Georgia (-2).
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"Andrew has embodied our whole team," Higgins added. "He finished four-under today, but he was actually seven-over through his first 12 holes of this tournament and now is at even par. He's played the last 24 holes at seven-under and is in really good control of his golf ball. That's exciting to see."
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Aggie freshman Chandler Phillips (68-73=141, +1) maintained his position in the top 10 during the second round, firing a 73 to close the day with a share of ninth.
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Senior Adria Arnaus (75-69=144, +4) bounced back after an opening round 75 to card a one-under 69 Saturday and ascend to 18th place on the leaderboard. Rounding out the A&M lineup were senior Ben Crancer (73-75=148, +8) and sophomore Cameron Champ (72-78=150, +10), who own shares of 41st and 47th, respectively.
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Texas A&M will take aim at its first conference title since claiming the 2012 Big 12 Championship on Sunday when the Aggies will be paired alongside golfers from Georgia and Kentucky. The group will begin teeing off at 8:10 (CT) from hole No. 1.
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"We've got exactly what we want," Higgins said. "We're in the final group playing for an SEC Championship and just four back of the lead. I don't think we could be in a much better position and I'm just really proud of how we're fighting."
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Live results can be found at GolfStat.com and SECSports.com while additional updates are available on twitter via @AggieMensGolf.
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Entering the day in sixth place, the Aggies (287-283=570, +10) tied for the day's lowest team round on Sea Island Golf Club's Seaside Course to move up behind only Kentucky (+6) and Georgia (+8) in the team standings.
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"The guys played with a lot of heart today," Texas A&M head coach J.T. Higgins said. "We got off to an awful start. I think we were seven or eight over through our first six holes and it looked like the end was near, but they really kept it together and battled to the end."
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Lister (74-66=140, E) stood out among the 70-player field by turning in the day's lowest scorecard. The San Diego, Calif., native sat at even par through seven holes Saturday but ended the round on a tear, collecting birdies on four of his final 11 holes while posting no bogies. He owns a tie for third in the individual standings and sits just two shots back of leader Lee McCoy of Georgia (-2).
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"Andrew has embodied our whole team," Higgins added. "He finished four-under today, but he was actually seven-over through his first 12 holes of this tournament and now is at even par. He's played the last 24 holes at seven-under and is in really good control of his golf ball. That's exciting to see."
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Aggie freshman Chandler Phillips (68-73=141, +1) maintained his position in the top 10 during the second round, firing a 73 to close the day with a share of ninth.
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Senior Adria Arnaus (75-69=144, +4) bounced back after an opening round 75 to card a one-under 69 Saturday and ascend to 18th place on the leaderboard. Rounding out the A&M lineup were senior Ben Crancer (73-75=148, +8) and sophomore Cameron Champ (72-78=150, +10), who own shares of 41st and 47th, respectively.
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Texas A&M will take aim at its first conference title since claiming the 2012 Big 12 Championship on Sunday when the Aggies will be paired alongside golfers from Georgia and Kentucky. The group will begin teeing off at 8:10 (CT) from hole No. 1.
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"We've got exactly what we want," Higgins said. "We're in the final group playing for an SEC Championship and just four back of the lead. I don't think we could be in a much better position and I'm just really proud of how we're fighting."
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Live results can be found at GolfStat.com and SECSports.com while additional updates are available on twitter via @AggieMensGolf.