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The Rattlers are one stroke off the lead entering Tuesday's final round. (Photo by Antonio Morano Photography / www.moranomemories.photoreflect.com)
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SAN ANTONIO — One shot. That’s all that separates the St. Mary’s men’s golf team from first place at Incarnate Word’s 2012 Spring Cardinal Classic entering Tuesday’s third and final round of competition.

The Rattlers wrapped up Monday’s first two rounds by shooting 618 — just a stroke off the pace set by Midwestern State at the Sonterra Country Club.

Leading the charge was senior Chris Becker, whose sensational day began by shooting an even–par 72 in the opening round en route to topping the individual standings.

Becker (Sr., San Antonio) fired a 149 over the first two rounds, two shots better than second–place John Paul Taylor of Incarnate Word.

Matthew Van Winkle (Fr., Castroville, Texas) also had a stellar day, shooting 154 to sit in fifth place. Senior Sam Jernigan of San Antonio shot 158 to tie for sixth place, while Marko Lloyd (Fr., New Braunfels, Texas) scored 162. Shawn Bennett (So., Marion, Texas) shot a 162.

So as Becker looks to maintain his lead over Taylor, the Rattlers will look to shave off their one–point deficit against Midwestern State.

The teams will resume action Tuesday morning.

St. Mary’s University, as a Catholic Marianist University, fosters the formation of people in faith and educates leaders for the common good through community service, integrated liberal arts and professional education, and academic excellence. The University has six athletic national titles: men’s basketball (1989–NAIA), baseball (2001–NCAA Div. II), softball (1986–NAIA and 2002–NCAA Div. II) and an individual national champion in men’s golf (2006–NCAA Div. II) and a national academic championship in men’s golf (2009–NCAA Div. II). St. Mary’s also had more than 40 percent of its athletes named to conference, regional and/or national honor rolls this past year. St. Mary’s student–athletes graduation rate is 65 percent, higher than the NCAA Division II average of 55 percent. To learn more about St. Mary's, visit www.stmarytx.edu/athletics.