CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (May 13, 2024) – It was a record-breaking day in more ways than one for the No. 21 ETSU men's golf team on Monday at the Chapel Hill Regional.
 
Following a historic showing in the second round with a 15-under 265, the Buccaneers propelled their way to the top of the leaderboard at UNC's Finley Golf Course. With weather heading into the area on Tuesday and Wednesday, teams were forced to get two rounds in, and that proved to be no trouble for the Blue & Gold.
 
After shooting a 6-under 274 in the opening round, ETSU went from fourth to first thanks to the record-setting showing in round two. The Bucs' 265 marked the lowest round in program history, while the 15-under resulted in the second-lowest round in relation to par in an NCAA Regional in program history.
 
ETSU was one of nine teams to complete both rounds on Monday, while four teams were left on the course when play was suspended due to darkness at 8:15 p.m. The Bucs are the leader in the clubhouse at 21-under-par 539. The 539 is the lowest 36-hole total in school history.
 
Clemson, one of the four teams still left on the course, is at 18-under-par with two golfers to complete their round. Both Tiger golfers have three holes remaining in their second round.
 
Tournament host and No. 4 North Carolina is in third at 13-under-par 547, while Baylor is in fourth at 11-under-par 549. Long Beach State and Georgia Tech are tied for fifth at 10-under-par 550. All four of those teams completed both rounds on Monday.
 
As the Bucs were making history on the team front, Algot Kleen also had a record-setting performance.
 
For the second straight year, Algot Kleen had a stellar second-round performance at an NCAA Regional. A year ago in Las Vegas, Kleen fired an 8-under 64 in round two; however, today the Buccaneer went low with a 7-under 63 en route to tying the lowest round in program history. Kleen became the seventh Buccaneer to shoot a 63 – just the second to accomplish the feat in an NCAA Regional – joining current teammate Archie Davies (2021 Cle Elum Regional).
 
Kleen jumped 24 golfers with his second-round score and moved into a tie for fifth with teammate Mats Ege at 7-under-par 133 for the tournament. In round two, Kleen – who started on the back nine – carded four birdies and five pars over his first nine holes to go out in 30. Kleen's only blemish came on the par-4, 499-yard No. 1 where he carded a bogey; however, the Buccaneer junior played his final eight holes at four-under to post the 63. Ege was consistent on Monday as he started the day with a 3-under 67 and followed that up with a 4-under 66 in round two.
 
Clemson's Calahan Keever is the clubhouse leader at 10-under-par 130. Keever went back-to-back rounds of 65 en route to holding a one-shot lead over Baylor's Johnny Keefer and UNC's Austin Greaser.
 
Fresh off his first collegiate win at the Southern Conference Championship, Matty Dodd-Berry put together two strong rounds to sit inside the top 10. Dodd-Berry went 66-68 and is tied for ninth at 6-under-par 134. Remi Chartier is tied for 24th at 1-under-par 139. Chartier fired a 2-under 68 in round two to climb nine spots on the leaderboard.
 
Four of the 13 teams and all 10 individuals have holes to play to finish the second round, the resumption of which is scheduled for Tuesday at 7:30 a.m. That includes seven groups of players who have between one and four holes to play.
 
The third round will not begin any earlier than 9:30 a.m.
 
Click here to view the team leaderboard. Click here to view the individual leaderboard.
 
For more information about ETSU men's golf, visit ETSUBucs.com and select men's golf.