Cavaliers Slide to Ninth in Day Two of Calusa Cup
NAPLES, Fla. – The Virginia Cavaliers faced a challenging second day at the Calusa Cup, held at the picturesque Calusa Pines Golf Club. Despite a valiant effort from senior standout Paul Chang, who continues to lead the team, the Cavaliers saw their position slip to ninth place following a team score of 304.
Paul’s Consistency Shines
In a landscape filled with pressure, Chang delivered a 4-over 76 on Monday (April 7), marking him at 4-over for the tournament overall. With three birdies throughout the day, he managed to hold onto sole possession of 21st place, further showcasing his resilience in the face of adversity.
Freshmen Stepping Up
The young guns showed promise too, with freshman Maxi Puregger finishing the day at 5-over with a score of 77, placing him in a tie for 26th. His adaptability in high-pressure scenarios speaks volumes about his potential as a key player for Virginia.
A Breakout Performance by Bryan Lee
Notably, sophomore Bryan Lee made significant strides, improving by five shots from his first round score to card a 3-over 75. This performance included four birdies, earning him the title of the day’s strongest competitor for the Cavaliers, despite being hindered by a couple of double bogeys.
Meanwhile, Benny Haggin also marked his season debut with a commendable 4-over 76, improving by three strokes, as the team continues to navigate the competition.
Standings Update: Eye on the Finale
As we head into the final day of the tournament on Tuesday (April 8), with tee times slated to start at 8 a.m., the Cavaliers will strive to regain their footing and finish strong.
Current Team Standings
Here’s a quick look at the Team Leaderboard:
| Pl. | School | To Par | Rd 1 | Rd 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Louisville | -5 | 284 | 287 |
| 2 | Florida | E | 290 | 286 |
| 3 | Purdue | +6 | 297 | 285 |
| 4 | UCLA | +8 | 292 | 292 |
| 5 | LSU | +17 | 301 | 292 |
| 6 | Wake Forest | +19 | 296 | 299 |
| 7 | Iowa | +22 | 298 | 300 |
| 8 | Miami (OH) | +26 | 305 | 297 |
| 9 | Virginia | +30 | 302 | 304 |
Player Performances
For a snapshot of how individual Cavaliers performed:
| Pl. | Player | To Par | Rd 1 | Rd 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21 | Paul Chang | +4 | 72 | 76 |
| T26 | Maxi Puregger | +7 | 74 | 77 |
| T35 | Bryan Lee | +11 | 80 | 75 |
| T35 | Benny Haggin | +11 | 79 | 76 |
| T42 | Josh Duangmanee | +13 | 77 | 80 |
As the Cavaliers look ahead, they will need a concerted team effort to secure a stronger finish. Can they rally in the final round? Stay tuned for the conclusion of the Calusa Cup, and witness whether the Cavaliers can rise back up the leaderboard!
For additional insights and updates on the tournament, visit Virginia Sports.
