Derek Bard
(Golfweek Photo)

Virginia is being paced by Derek Bard and Luke Schaap, both who share fourth place at 7-under. They will begin the last round two behind co-medalist leaders Ryan Benton and Luke Schniederjans at 9-under.

Despite a double-bogey on the 10th hole Bard moved up the leaderboard with a 5-under 67. After a 2-under 70 in the first round, the Caviler senior got off to a quick start with three consecutive birdies from Nos. 3-5 and then rolled in another bird on the 7th following a bogey on the 6th. One more birdie on the 9th helped Bard sign for a 4-under 32 on the opening side.

Bard started his back nine with the aforementioned double-bogey but recovered nicely with the first two of his four inward nine birdies on the next two holes.

All told it was a nine birdie, two bogey, one double-bogey round for the two-time All-ACC performer.

Schaap, a freshman making his collegiate debut, fired a second round 5-under 67 to follow up his first round 70. The first year player bogeyed Nos. 1 and 7 but more than made up for it with seven birdies. After turning in 1-under 35 Schaap birdied four of the first six holes on his closing nine.

Also playing well for Virginia are sophomore Thomas Walsh (T7; -5) and senior Jimmy Stanger (T16; -3).

Second place Auburn has been led each of the first two days by senior Ryan Benton. Beginning the day 4-under Benton moved into a share of the 36-hole lead thanks to a 5-under 67. Benton came firing out of the gates with circles on Nos. 2-4 and then another on the 9th to turn in 4-under 32. The back nine was a bit more mundane as Benton birdied two and bogeyed one.

Georgia Tech freshman Luke Schniederjans posted the second best tally of the day with a 6-under 66 to grab a share of the 9-under lead. Schniederjans, playing in his first college tournament, started on No. 10 and was locked in from the get go as he birdied five holes during a bogey-free 5-under 31 front nine. Although Schniederjans did cool a bit on his back nine his three birdie, two bogey side meant he was still able to sign for a 1-under 35.

LSU's Sam Burns will begin the final round in solo third at 8-under. Burns shot the round of the weekend with a 7-under 65 that included seven birdies, an eagle and two bogeys. Joining Bard and Schaap in a tie for fourth is first round leader, Florida's Sam Horsfield.

Behind Virginia and Auburn in the team standings are No. 13 Clemson (-11) in third, No. 7 LSU (-9) in fourth and No. 6 Florida (-7) in fifth.

ROUND ONE RECAP

No. 11 Auburn and No. 21 Virginia are both 12-under and ahead by seven-strokes after the first round of the Carpet Capital Collegiate at The Farm Golf Club.

On day one Auburn was paced by seniors Ryan Benton and Will Long, both of whom are tied for third at 4-under. Benton carded six birdies and two bogeys during his first round. He carded three birdies during the final four holes of his back nine.

Long birdied one hole on the front nine but saved most of his excitement for the back nine with five birdies and two bogeys. Long carded three birdies on his closing quartet of holes.

The Cavilers were led by senior Jimmy Stanger. An All-ACC performer a year ago, Stanger fired a first round 5-under 67 and is in second place. Stanger, who won the 2016 Southern Amateur, tallied four birdies and one bogey as he turned in 3-under 33. On his inward nine Stanger birdied three more times and bogeyed just once.

Florida sophomore Sam Horsfield is leading the medalist race thanks to an opening round 7-under 65. Horsfield recorded eight birdies, four on each side, and one bogey during his round. The 2016 SEC Freshman of the Year finished with floury of birdies, three on the last four holes.

In the team standings No. 16 Alabama (-7) is third while No. 17 South Carolina, No. 7 LSU and No. 13 Clemson are all tied for fourth at 5-under.