Results

GLEN COVE, N.Y. – Rhode Island tied for the lowest team score in the second round of the Nassau Invitational Monday, helping the Rams move into second place overall heading into Tuesday's final round.

Playing the par-70 Nassau Country Club, sophomore Josiah Tong fired a 2-under par 68 in the second round to spark Rhody to a 4-over 284 as a team. Junior Aidan O'Donovan and freshmen Luke Stennett and Tyler Bruneau all shot 2-over 72 in the second round.

The strong showing allowed Rhode Island to make up 10 strokes on field leader Oklahoma Christian. The Eagles built a sizeable lead on the field with a team score of 276 in the opening round. URI finished the opening round in third place overall, 17 strokes off the pace.

The Rams stormed back, trimming 10 shots off the deficit. Tong led the way, carding six birdies in the second round to surge up the leaderboard. He and Stennett finished the day tied for fourth place overall at plus-3. They are both nine strokes off the pace of Oklahoma Christian's Oskari Nikku. Nikku's tournament-low 65 in the second round has him 6-under heading into the final round.

O'Donovan and Bruneau both provided solid days, giving Rhode Island four players among the top 16 in the field of 67 players. O'Donovan is among seven players tied for ninth place at plus-5, while Bruneau is one stroke behind him in 16th place.

Behind Oklahoma Christian (+10) and Rhode Island (+17) in the team standings are Boston College (+19), Belmont (+22) and Delaware (+22).

Tuesday's action begins at 8:40 a.m. Rhode Island's players will be grouped with players from Okahoma Christian and Boston College.
 
Rhode Island head coach Gregg Burke said...
"Our first objective is to play in the final group for the final round and we have achieved that.
 
"After a first round that got away from us, we really got tough and had the second-best round of the day when we went four over in the afternoon.
 
"We have a lot of confidence in our first three - Luke, Tyler, and Aidan. So we came looking for a strong number four and hopefully Josiah becomes that. He carried us on his back in the afternoon and aside from a double as it was getting dark, he had a remarkable round of golf. Both freshmen were under par over the final six holes or so, which really helped us.
 
"We need to have another strong round tomorrow to feel good about this tournament."


Team Standings (Through Two Rounds)
1. Oklahoma Christian – 276-294=570
2. Rhode Island – 293-284=577
3. Boston College – 290-289=579
t-4. Belmont – 290-292=582
t-4. Delaware – 298-284=582
6. Long Island – 295-288=583
7. Bryant – 293-298=591
8. Villanova – 300-292=592
t-9. Fordham – 295-300=595
t-9. Iona – 296-299=595
11. Fairleigh Dickinson – 297-303=600
12. Manhattan – 305-296=601
13. Hofstra – 309-303=612