June 16, 2008

By Ashley Keyes, University of South Carolina Media Relations

South Carolina golfers George Bryan IV, Wesley Bryan, Chris Piumelli and Paul Woodbury turned in top-10 performances at the 79th Southeastern Amateur Tournament June 12-15. Played at the Country Club of Columbus in Columbus, Ga., the tournament involved 81 players from the United States and abroad.

Tournament defending champion George Bryan IV finished tied for second with a 72-hole total of 275 (-9). He opened the tournament with a first-round 73 (+2) and rocketed up the leaderboard on the second day with a 64 (-7). Bryan went bogey-free in the round with seven birdies and followed the effort with a 71 (E) on Saturday. His final-round 67 (-4) solidified his share of second place and featured five birdies marred only by a bogey on the par-3 16th hole.

Woodbury tied for fourth after posting a score of 277 (-7). Like Bryan, he shot a 73 (+2) in the first round, highlighted by an eagle on the par-4 seventh hole. Five birdies in the second round helped Woodbury to a 67 (-4), which he followed with a 70 (-1) in the third round. He duplicated his second-round 67 with steady, bogey-free play on the final day to hold onto his top-five finish.

Incoming freshman Wesley Bryan matched Woodbury's 277 (-7) for a share of fourth place as well. With a 68 (-3) on Thursday, he was the only Gamecock to open the tournament under 70, thanks to four birdies on the back nine. In the second round, Bryan battled for a 70 (-1), sprinkling five birdies in with four bogeys. He reversed his momentum in the third round posting a 69 (-2) despite a bogey on the par-4 18th hole. Bryan recovered from a triple-bogey on the first hole of his final round to card three birdies on the front nine. He closed the round with consecutive birdies to finish at 70 (-1).

Piumelli finished the tournament tied for 10th with a 72-hole score of 283 (-1). After a 71 (E) in the first round, he carded five birdies in the second round for a 69 (-2). With an eagle on the par-5 first hole, Piumelli shaved one stroke off his second-round score for a 68 (-3) on Saturday, but the second-year Gamecock struggled to a 75 (+4) in the final round.

Augusta State's Mitch Krywulycz won the Southeastern Amateur title with a 270 (-14), finishing five strokes ahead of the Gamecocks' elder Bryan and University of Minnesota signee Derek Chang, who tied for second.