Kaiser tied for lead with 18 to play

PLYMOUTH, Ind. — Mississippi Gulf Coast's Chase Kaiser is tied for the lead with 18 holes to play at the NJCAA Division II Men's Golf Championship, and his Bulldogs are playing in Friday's final threesomes.

Kaiser shot even-par 72 Thursday on Swan Lake Resort's Black Course and is tied with five others at 3-under through 54 holes.

"Even with a couple dropped shots today which will make it a little more difficult on himself, having a chance to win a national championship with 18 holes left is something to be proud of," Gulf Coast coach Brad Thornton said. "I look forward to seeing him pull it out tomorrow."

The Bulldogs shot the low round of the day to pick up two shots on first-place Kirkwood, who are 10 shots ahead of Gulf Coast and Parkland.

Kaiser is the only golfer to have shot par or better in all three rounds. He played the front nine at 1-under thanks to a birdie on No. 4 and an eagle on the next hole. He birdied 15 to get to 2-under but gave up shots with bogeys on the final two holes.

Jackson Wise (Fr., Pontotoc/North Pontotoc) returned to the lineup after a day off because of illness and boosted the Bulldogs with a 1-under 71. He also eagled No. 5 and had birdies on Nos. 8 and 15.

Will Burnham (Fr., Jackson/Jackson Prep) shot 1-over 73 to move up 14 spots in the standings to be tied for 19th. Alessio Graziani (So., Johannesburg, South Africa/Beaulieu College) survived a triple-bogey on five to card a 4-over 76.

"I thought we played really solid on a much tougher golf course today," Thornton said. "We had some missed opportunities that came back and bit us a little bit."

Wednesday was the fifth anniversary of the Bulldogs' national championship at Foley, Ala. If they can make a big charge, they could pick up the second team title in school history. If Kaiser can outduel the pack at the top of the leaderboard, he could pick up Gulf Coast's second individual championship.

"We're going to have to come out hot and stay hot," Thornton said. "These guys can do it. They can post a low number. We'll be in the final pairings tomorrow, so we'll know what we have to do from the very start."

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