PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. - - Matthew Kettleson is pacing the Wilmington University golf team after the first two rounds of the Shark Invitational hosted by Nova Southeastern, as the Wildcats shot a 324-315 for a 639 (+63) at the PGA National Champion Course on Monday.
Kettleson leads the Wildcats and is in a tie for 24th overall, shooting a 79-75 for a 154 (+10). Ryan Rucinski fought back with the best second round of the day for the Wildcats, shooting an 82-74 for a 156 (+12) to sit in a tie for 37th overall. Braden McKay is in a tie for 78th overall with an 80-85 for a 165 (+21) while Jack Dixon is in a tie for 83rd overall with back-to-back rounds of 83 for a 166 (+22). Arvy Shongwe rounded out the Wildcats on the course on Monday with an 87-83 for a 170 (+26) to be in 91st place.
Matt Kettleson ranks eighth overall with 24 pars through the first two rounds, including 13 in the second round where he shot a 75 (+3). Eight of his pars came on the front nine of his second round, as he also birdied the par far 10th to get to two-over par on the round.
Jack Dixon leads all 95 golfers on the par-three holes, shooting two-under par through eight par-three holes. Starting on the 12th hole in the first round, he hit a par putt on the par-three 15th, a birdie on the par-three 17th, and pars on holes five and seven. He then birdied the par-three 15th in the second round while paring the other three. He is also only one of six golfers with an eagle on the afternoon, shooting a three on the par-five 10th in the first round. But three doubles, a triple, a quad, and two bogeys hindered the junior in the first round for his 83 (+11).
Senior Ryan Rucinski is tied for third in the tournament in par-five scoring, going three-under par on the eight par-five holes played on Monday. He birdied holes 18 and 10 in the first round, finishing one-under after a bogey on hole three and a par on hole six. After pars on holes 18, three, and six, he finished his day with an eagle on the par-five 10th in the second round.
Saint Leo leads the tournament after the first two rounds by shooting a 299-290 for a 589 (+13). Florida Tech is in second with a 301-296 for a 597 (+8).
Saint Leo also has the top three on the individual leaderboard, led by Simon Knutsson's and Oliver Lilliedahl's identical 144 (E) through two rounds.
The Wildcats will begin the third and final round on Tuesday on holes 14, 15, 16, and 17, with the shotgun start begins at 8:30 a.m.