CONOVER, N.C. - Day 1 at the NCAA Division II South/Southeast Golf Regional was all about a fast start for Georgia Southwestern standout J.P. Griffin as he birdied five of his first seven holes. On Day 2 at the Rock Barn Golf & Spa it was all about a strong finish. Griffin birdied four of his final six holes on Tuesday afternoon to finish with an even par 72 in Round 2 and a 4-under 140 overall.

Griffin's tremendous finish was easily the highlight in an otherwise rough afternoon for the Hurricanes. GSW struggled from the get-go and posted a 14-over par 302. Southwestern heads into the final round tied for 17th place at the 20-team event, 20 strokes behind the leader Georgia College.

The top five teams and the top two players not on a qualifying team advance to the finals May 15-19, at The Cardinal Club in Simpsonville, Ky., as part of the 2012 Division II Spring Championships Festival. Griffin is in a tie for second overall at this week's 108-player event, two strokes out of the lead, but holds the second individual spot in the finals by one stroke over Ben Taylor from Nova Southeastern. 

Nate Gahman and Christopher Hall managed to shave a stroke off their opening round 77s as both finished with a score of 76 on Tuesday. Gahman shot 3-under over his final nine to catch Hall. Craig Gibson shot a 78. Travis Oestmann carded an 83.

Southwestern golfers will be paired with competitors from Wingate University and Valdosta State in Round 3 on Wednesday morning. Live stats are available at the following link.

Oestmann starts things off at 7:30 a.m. and will be followed by Hall (7:40 a.m.), Griffin (7:50 a.m.) and Gahman (8 a.m.). Gibson will be in the 'Canes final group at 8:10 a.m.

GSW is just one of 80 teams participating in the NCAA Tournament. Regional play wraps up at all four hosting sites on Wednesday.

2012 SOUTH/SOUTHEAST NCAA REGIONAL - TEAM SCORES

GSW SCORES