Guilford, H-SC's O'Connell Miss Cut

GREENSBORO, N.C. --- Hampden-Sydney College junior Brian Burt led by one stroke following the first round of play at the NCAA Division III Men's Golf Championships.  By the end of day two, his advantage grew to four shots as he fired a three-under par 69 to stand atop the 210-competitor field at Grandover Resort in Greensboro, N.C.

The event's 41 teams and five individuals competed on both the East and West courses over the past two days.  The East Course, which will be also be played for the final two rounds on Thursday and Friday, measures 7,210-yards at a par of 72.  The West Course is also played at par 72, but is laid out shorter at 6,770-yards.

Team Leaderboard  /  Player Leaderboard

Guilford College, serving as co-host of the event with the Greensboro Sports Commission, saw its role as team competitor cut short after two rounds.  The Quakers finished seventh in the team standings, four strokes back of the final cut line.  GC posted a two-round total of 27-over-par 603 (294-309).  Shreiner University owns the top spot on the team table at 2-over-par following rounds of 285 and 293.

In addition to Burt, Hampden-Sydney senior Rick O'Connell was also one of the five individuals that qualified for the original field.  The ODAC Player of the Year started on the West Course on Tuesday and posted a 1-under 71.  He coudln't get on track on Wednesday as he carded a 10-over 82 on the East Course, leaving him 9-over for the tournament and below the cut line.

Burt has registered two of the best rounds of his season on the way to an 8-under 136 and four stroke lead heading into Thursday's third round.  His opening 67 on the West Course on Tuesday is the low-round of the tournament so far.  It also afforded him a one-shot edge after the first 18 holes.

By the end of the second day, Burt had extended his advantage to four strokes after a 69 on the longer East Course.  After a birdie on the par-five 535-yard second hole, he slipped back with his first bogey of the tournament on the par-four fifth.  He rebounded with a second birdie on the sixth, also a par five.  Burt notched six straight pars until bogeying the par-five 13th, but came back with birdies on the 14th and 17th holes, both par fours.

On No. 18, Burt striped a drive deep down the middle of the fairway, setting up a chance to go for the green in two on the par-five 570-yard finishing hole.  He cozied a long iron to about 12-feet, but above the hole leaving a downhill putt for eagle.  His roll stayed left a few inches, leaving him a tap-in for his 10th birdie in 36 holes.

Play in Thursday's third round has been moved up an hour due to impending weather in the Greensboro area.  Burt is set to tee-off at 8:15 a.m.  For full tee times, click HERE.