Photos by ONEFlight Myrtle Beach Classic
DUNES GOLF AND BEACH CLUB: If Jackson Byrd is looking to live up to his father’s legacy, he’s off to a good start in his first PGA Tournament appearance, making the cut at the Myrtle Beach Classic with a two-round total of 139 (-3). Jackson, son of five-time Tour winner Jonathan Byrd (Clemson), has excelled off the tee through the first 36 holes. Jackson is in the top 5 of driving distance with an average of 326 yards.
Jonathan Byrd (-1) will not play on the weekend, missing the cut by a single stroke.
Friday’s second round was delayed by early-morning rainfall. The precipitation served to soften the fast-rolling greens at The Dunes, leading to some good scoring opportunities.
Carson Young (Clemson) took advantage quickly, going 3-under after his first four holes including an eagle on the par-5 fourth. Young is -6 for the tournament, leaving him tied for 15th heading into the third round. Young has had success with the driver, as well, hitting 22 of 28 fairways.
There’s a two-way tie atop the leaderboard at 10-under-par between Mackenzie Hughes and Cristobal Del Solar.
Gamecock Nathan Franks continues to impress, finishing at one-under, Friday. Franks is now at -5 after two rounds, but missed out on some scoring opportunities, playing the three par 5s at +1. He’ll have another shot at them, however, as his play has earned him a weekend stay in Myrtle Beach. Franks’ good play has created an interesting scheduling conflict, as he is set to begin NCAA Tournament play across the country in Washington, Monday.
Trace Crowe (Easley, Hilton Head Christian Academy) is also at -5, a shot ahead of Bill Haas. Haas snapped into shape at the turn, Friday, carding birdies at 10, 12 and 15 before surrendering a stroke with a bogey on the par-4 18th. Haas wasn’t the only player to have trouble on the last as it’s playing as the fourth-most difficult hole on the course, so far.
The finishing hole likely cost Matt Nesmith (-1) an opportunity to play on the weekend. Nesmith, a former Gamecocks player, put it in the greenside bunker from 164 yards out and ended up three-putting for bogey. Aiken native Kevin Kisner (-1) also finished one stroke off the cut line and will miss the weekend.