Mercer University
Linger Longer Invitational
Beale Finishes in Fourth; Bears in 11th at Linger Longer
3/25/2012 12:00:00 AM | Men's Golf
GREENSBORO, Ga. – Mercer sophomore James Beale started Sunday's final round of the Linger Longer Invitational in a tie for first and after shooting an even-par round, finished just three shots back of tournament champion Cory Whitsett of Alabama at the Great Waters Course at Reynolds Plantation.
Beale's even round gave him a three-round total of 211 (71, 68, 72), good enough for 5-under-par and finish in a tie for fourth overall. Beale led a Bears squad that finished where they began the day, in 11th position out of 12 teams. Mercer shot a 299 on Sunday, which was the same total as yesterday's second round and +11 on the day. The Bears three-day total was a +34, 898 (300, 299, 299).
Whitsett was the returning tournament champion and on Sunday shot an incredible 8-under (64) to force a playoff between himself and Georgia's Nick Reach. Whitsett was able to walk away with his second-straight individual title after winning on the fourth hole of the playoff.
His Alabama team also picked up its second-straight team title in impressive fashion, posting a 14-under-par on Sunday for a three-day total of 26-under-par (838).
Mercer did make a move up the leaderboard on Sunday's final round, getting as high as a tie for eighth place mid-way through the round but couldn't hang on in the back nine.
Thomas Holmes was one reason for the Bears move as the junior responded well on Sunday after struggling a little in the first and second rounds. Holmes shot an even-par (72) in the final round by posting three birdies, including two in his final five holes.
Senior Josh Cone and sophomore Hans Reimers each posted their highest rounds of the tournament on Sunday with Cone shooting a +7 (79) and Reimers following up with a +6 (78).
The Bears continue their spring season next weekend at the Irish Creek Invitational at Irish Creek Golf Course in Kannapolis, N.C.
