March 6, 2016
OPELIKA, Ala. - No. 3 Auburn men's golf leads after the first round at the Tiger Invitational presented by Jason Dufner, firing a 3-under 285 on Sunday at the par 72, 7,149-yard Grand National Lakes Course.
The Tigers lead Troy by five strokes.
All-SEC junior Matt Gilchrest is in first carding a 4-under 68. The Southlake, Texas, native birdied Nos. 2 and 7 on the front nine and 12, 14, 15 and 16 on the back.
All-SEC senior Michael Johnson is three strokes off the lead tied for sixth at 1-under 71. Johnson, the No. 2 ranked player in collegiate golf, birdied Nos. 2, 4, 7 and 9 on the front and 12, 14 and 16 on the back.
All-American sophomore Ben Schlottman shot an even-par 72 to tie for 12th. Senior Jake Mondy is tied for 28th at 2-over 74 and freshman Trace Crowe is tied for 91st.
Five other Tigers are competing separately as Auburn's B-team. Junior Will Long leads the way tied for 23rd at 1-over 73. Freshman Graysen Huff is a stroke back at 2-over 74 to tie with Mondy for 28th. Freshman Jacob Solomon is tied for 38th at 3-over 75 while junior Ryan Benton and freshman Mark Lawrence are tied for 57th at 5-over 77. Junior Blake Messer, playing as an individual, is tied for 75th at 7-over 79.
Kennesaw State and Minnesota are tied for third at 291 followed by Kentucky (294), Mississippi State (291), VCU (295), Georgia State (296), Auburn-B and UNCG (300).
UNCW, Kansas State, Southeastern Louisiana, South Alabama and Ohio State are in a five-way tie for 11th at 303 followed by Notre Dame (306), Jacksonville State (307) and Tulsa (314). The Tigers tee off the second round of the Tiger Invitational tomorrow at 9:15 am CT with Troy and Kennesaw State. Live-scoring for the tournament can be found on www.golfstat.com.