USC golf team remains alive in NCAA Championships

South Carolina advanced to the fourth round of team competition at the NCAA Championships with another solid round of golf.

The Gamecocks are in 12th place after posting a score of 293 (+13) for a total of 865 (+25) after 54 holes. Vanderbilt’s in first place with a 5-over 845.

The top 15 teams and the top nine individuals not on an advancing team move on to Monday’s fourth round. After Monday, the field will be cut to eight teams for the match play portion of the championship.

Matt NeSmith shot the top round among Gamecocks on Sunday, a 71 (+1) to post a three-day score of 216 (+6) and is in a tie for 50th place. Keenan Huskey is also at 216 (+6) after recording a 76 (+6) on Sunday. Will Starke shot 79 (+9) and is at 218 (+8) after three days.

Clemson, meanwhile, finished in a tie for 14th place at 27-over 867, but won’t advance as it lost a tiebreaker – which was total for non-counting members of the team through the first three rounds.

Stephen Behr also lost a tiebreaker, based on Sunday scores, to advance to Monday’s fourth round as an individual. Behr finished tied for 20th place at 3-over 213 for three days.

College of Charleston’s William Rainey will continue to play on Monday, and goes into the final round in a tie for 13th at 1-over 211.