Aug. 31, 2009

RIVERSIDE, Iowa - The Baylor men's golf team shot a second-round 7-over 295, losing its five-stroke lead and falling to third place Monday at Golfweek's Conference Challenge.

Baylor trails the leading Iowa Hawkeyes by seven strokes. After an even-par 288 Sunday, Iowa shot an 8-under 280 to take a four-stroke lead. Florida State is in second at 4-under 572. Coastal Carolina (even-par 576) and Vanderbilt (2-over 578) round out the top five.

"We made a lot of birdie putts yesterday, but didn't make too many today," Baylor head men's golf coach Greg Priest said. "That was the difference."

Junior Payne Gniewek, who entered Monday with a share of the individual lead, is now tied for eighth place through two rounds after shooting a 1-over 73. Gniewek birdied three of the final four holes to stay within four shots of the individual leader, Brad Hopfinger of Iowa. Hopfinger shot a 5-under 67 Monday to take over the lead at 7-under 137.

Morten Bergan also carded a second-round 73 and is tied for 13th place after two rounds. Sophomore Lorenzo Scotto shot a 4-over 76 to fall into a tie for 18th at 1-over 145. Joakim Mikkelsen is tied for 23rd place at 2-over 146, followed by Cody Paladino in 50th with a 6-over 150.

The Bears were hampered by bogeys during Monday's second round. Mikkelsen and Scotto each recorded a double-bogey on the front nine, while Scotto added another on the par-4 No. 18. Mikkelsen led the team four birdies, followed by Gniewek with three Monday.

The final round of Golfweek's Conference Challenge will tee off at 8 a.m. CT Tuesday. Live scoring will be available at www.GolfStat.com.

TEAM RESULTS

BAYLOR INDIVIDUAL RESULTS