Trojans Remain in the Mix at National Championship
SILVIS, Ill. – The Taylor men's golf team continued its strong play at the NAIA National Championship on Wednesday as the Trojans carded a team score of 299 and will enter the final two rounds in sixth place.
Javan Johnson led the way for Taylor as the redshirt junior posted a 1-under par 70 to climb into a tie for fourth place on the individual leaderboard. Johnson's round included four birdies and just three bogeys on the 6,732-yard, par 71 layout of TPC Deere Run. Johnson is third in the field in par-4 scoring at even par for the week. Johnson's two-round total of even par 142 (72-70) is tied for fourth place, eight shots back of the pace set by William Woods Logan Smith (69-65).
Sophomore Drew Pickering continued his rock solid play with a 1-over par 72 in the championship's second round. Pickering added another birdie on the par-5 17th to move his par-5 scoring total to -2 through two rounds. Pickering steady play pushed him into the top-10 and two-over par 144.
Taylor also counted a 5-over par 76 from sophomore Erik Fahlen. The Ada, Michigan native carded his second eagle of the week on the par-5 17th as he dropped a 50-foot putt. Fahlen also finished off his round in style, playing his last four holes in two-under par.
Sophomore Noah Ross added an 81 while freshman Adam Kasitz tallied and 83 for the Trojans.
Taylor slipped from third place to sixth place but are just four shots back of fourth place Dalton State and three shots behind fifth place Bellevue. Texas Wesleyan stormed to the top of the leaderboard with a 2-under par 282 in round two. The rams sit at 579 (+11) followed by Keiser and Point at 582 (+14).
The Trojans will return to the course for the third round in the four-round championship on Thursday. Kasitz will lead the Trojans off hole one at 8:24 am. Live scoring can be found at golfstat.com.