AIKEN, S.C. --- The trio of Stephan Jaeger (3rd), Steven Fox (T4th) and Derek Rende (T7th) led the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga men’s golf team into first place at the Cleveland Golf Palmetto Intercollegiate at Palmetto Golf Club. The threesome combined to shoot three-under par over the 36 holes played Monday.
Chattanooga stands at two-over par 562, four shots ahead of Liberty. Southern Conference rival Furman is in third at 569, while No. 19 Clemson is nine shots back at 571 and No. 20 Virginia in fifth 11 shots behind with a 573.
UVa’s Ben Kobles is the individual leader at seven-under par 133. His second round 63 set a new tournament record. Liberty’s Max McKay is second at four-under 136, while Jaeger is alone in third after twin rounds of 69 put him at 138.
The Mocs opened the day with a five-over par round of 285. Jaeger shot 69 (-1) to lead the charge and tie for the individual lead with six other golfer. Rende was one shot back at even-par 70, tied for seventh.
Fox and Fredrick Qvicker each shot 73 (+3), while J.T. Clendenin rounded out the first round scores with an 80.
Chattanooga turned it up in round two with the low round of the day, 277 (-3). The 277 is the Mocs’ best round of 2009-10.
Fox was outstanding with a season-low 66 (-4), while Jaeger and Rende matched their opening rounds at 69 and 70, respectively. Qvicker carded a 72 (+2), while Clendenin’s drop score of 74 would’ve counted on every team except Virginia.
Overall, Fox is tied with two others at one-under par 139. Rende is tied for seventh with a trio of golfers at 140 (E). Fox’s nine birdies on the day are second only to Kobles’ 11. The Mocs played 140 holes at par or better on the day.
Clendenin will lead the team off the tee Tuesday morning at 10:20 a.m. The Mocs will play with Liberty and Furman.