March 29, 2015
Matt Gilchrest is in a four-way tie for the lead with a 5-under 67
By Matt Penland
AWENDAW, S.C. -- The fourth-ranked Auburn men's golf team is in fifth after the first round of the Hootie at Bulls Bay Intercollegiate, shooting a 3-under 285 at the Bulls Bay Golf Club in Awendaw, S.C., on Sunday. The Tigers are eight strokes behind leader Missouri . All SEC sophomore Matt Gilchrest is in a four-way tie for the individual lead at 5-under 67.
Gilchrest, who shot his team-leading 12th round in the 60s today, had seven birdies including three straight on holes 3-5 and four more on the back nine. He is tied with Coastal Carolina's Andrew Dorn, New Mexico's Gavin Green and Missouri's Jacob Fair for the lead.
Freshman Ben Schlottman is tied for 15th at 1-under 71, junior Michael Johnson is tied for 32nd at 1-over 73, sophomore Will Long is tied for 47th at 2-over 74 and senior Dan Stringfellow, coming off his first collegiate win at the Schenkel Invitational, is tied for 52nd at 3-over 75.
"We battled today, and we are in position to make a run at this golf tournament," said Auburn head coach Nick Clinard of the Tigers, who are looking for the school record-tying fourth straight win. "Matt had an exceptional day while Ben was solid."
No. 7 South Carolina (280) is in second followed by Coastal Carolina (282), No. 25 New Mexico (284), Auburn, Duke (286), Virginia (286), No. 21 Wake Forest (287), GRU Augusta (288) and Kentucky (291).
College of Charleston (295) is tied for 11th with North Carolina State (295) followed by Wisconsin (300), Winthrop (305) and Charleston Southern (315).
The Hootie at Bulls Bay Intercollegiate continues as Auburn tees off No. 1 at 8:50 am CT with New Mexico and Duke in the second round on Monday.
Live-scoring for the tournament can be found on www.golfstat.com. For the most up to date information, follow on Twitter @AUMensGolf or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AUMensGolf.