Team Standings | Player Leaderboard

MARICOPA, Ariz. - Juniors Tony Liu and Josiah Tong led the way for Rhode Island on the second day of the National Golf Invitational. The duo combined to shoot 11-under par to help the Rams go 14-under as a team for the second straight day.

Rhode Island is in sole possession of third place. The Rams are one stroke behind second-place Missouri, outscoring the Tigers by three shots Saturday. Grand Canyon shot 20-under par in the second round to pass Missouri and take the top spot in the team standings. Grand Canyon is 37-under par for the tournament, giving the Antelopes an eight-stroke lead over the rest of the field.

"Tony played incredible golf all day and Josiah continued to show that he is ready to break into the upper echelon of college golf," Rhode Island head coach Gregg Burke said. "Tony had a legitimate chance to make birdie on all but a couple holes. Josiah is in complete control of his game. He has just one bogey in his first 36 holes, which is the epitome of success at URI golf."

Liu made one of the biggest moves of the day on the individual leaderboard, jumping 16 spots into a tie for 12th place by carding a six-under par 66. The only player in the field to make a bigger move upward in the second round was Grand Canyon's Erik Rengardt, whose seven-under 65 moved him up 24 spots into a tie for 12th place. Liu was exceptional on the front nine, going five under over the first nine holes. For the day, he had six birdies and one eagle.

Tong is one of two Rams among the top five heading into the final round. He was bogey free on Saturday, sinking five birdies. Tong is tied for third in the field of 50, four strokes behind overall leader Brody Leid of Wyoming.

Sophomore Tyler Bruneau continued his strong tournament, shooting two-under par 70 to find himself tied for fifth place. Just one stroke behind Tong, Bruneau closed out his round with two birdies over the final three holes.

"Tyler just never gave up today," Burke said. "He has learned how to play golf and is now exploiting his talent and hard work. He has played freely and without distraction. His great academic success this past semester bas fueled a focus and confidence that will make him a pro one day."

Sophomore Luke Stennett was the fourth scorer for the Rams. A round that was shaping up very nicely ended on a down note. Spurred by five birdies over his first 14 holes, Stennett was four-under par heading to the 18th hole, but a triple bogey cost him.

For the second day in a row, all five Rhody golfers were even par or better. Senior Aidan O'Donovan carded three birdies on the day and finished with a 72. He is tied for 26th overall and is still two-under par for the tournament.

"I know it sounds like a broken record, but we are now at the ultimate 'late in round, late in tournament, and late in the season' crossroads," Burke said. "We can win this for sure, but we can't do it with bad decisions and lack of toughness. We have to play our game in the final round. We are not playing the other teams but they sure as heck will be playing us. 

"I have a good feeling about guys showing who they are tomorrow!"

The top three teams will be grouped together for the final round. Grand Canyon, Missouri and Rhode Island will form the final five threesomes of the tournament, with the teams scheduled to tee off at 11:50 a.m. EST.

National Golf Invitational
Team Standings (Through Round Two)
1. Grand Canyon - 271-268=539
2. Missouri - 270-277=547
3. Rhode Island - 274-274=548
4. William and Mary - 284-270=554
5. Wyoming - 285-270=555
6. Mercer - 280-278=558
7. Nevada - 274-288=562
8. Tennessee Tech - 288-282=570
9. Augusta - 291-286=577
10. North Alabama - 292-289=581