No. 1 Bulldogs lead by 6 after 36

SAUCIER — No. 1 Mississippi Gulf Coast was in an unusual spot after the first 18 holes Monday, trailing in the MGCCC Fall Invitational by two shots.

The second round in the afternoon turned the Bulldogs way as conditions got tougher, and they lead by six shots over traditional NJCAA Division I power Central Alabama.

"I thought we were really solid today," Gulf Coast coach Brad Thornton said. "We were really able to showcase the depth we have throughout our whole roster. To improve from the first round to the second round was great. The conditions got a little more difficult as the cold front moved in during the afternoon, but to see us maintain that lead and see the team as a whole compete was very good for us."

Gulf Coast, winners of its last three events, shot 12-over par over 26 holes at Windance Country Club to lead Central Alabama. Roane State is third another five shots back, and the Bulldogs depth showed itself in the next spot. The Gulf Coast B team is in fourth, ahead of 14 other squads.

Kyle Davidson (So., Kyalami, South Africa/St. Peter's College), a member of that B team, was the top Bulldog on Monday. He finished even-par 144 and is tied for third five back of Central Alabama's James Baker.

MGCCC's Andrew Zielinski (So., Ocean Springs/Ocean Springs) is in fifth at 1-over, with Will Burnham (So., Jackson/Jackson Prep) another shot back tied for sixth. Peyton Russell (Fr., Gautier/Gautier) is tied for eighth at 3-over.

"I thought Kyle stayed very patient," Thornton said. "He made a lot of pars in his second round. He was one of the last groups to get on the course this morning, which means he was one of the last groups to finish this afternoon. It was a long day, and for him to stay patient and play the way he did throughout was really rewarding for him."

Davidson had two birdies and two bogies on his second-round card, meaning 14 pars rounded out the day. Zielinski had an eagle on seven to help him shoot even during the second round, and Burnham had three birdies and a bogey on his first 18. 

"The guys understand the conditions are going to be tough tomorrow," Thornton said. "We want to get those excuses out of our minds tonight. We want to come into tomorrow with the mindset that we're going to win the day. If we win the round tomorrow, we'll win the tournament. That's our goal."

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