Sept. 24, 2017
DALLAS - Freshmen Brandon Mancheno and Wells Padgett led the No. 13 Auburn men's golf team to a 6-under 278 while the Tigers are in third after the Trinity Forest Invitational first round at the par 71, 7,302-yard Trinity Forest Golf Club in Dallas on Sunday.
Mancheno and Padgett each fired 3-under 68s in the second collegiate tournament of their career and are tied for sixth individually. Each carded four birdies with Mancheno on Nos. 5, 10, 11 and 14 while Padgett at Nos. 3, 4, 8 and 18.
"I'm extremely proud of the poise and the effort shown by a pair of freshmen in Brandon and Wells," said Auburn head coach Nick Clinard. "They showed great savvy. Jacob and Jovan had solid rounds, and I'm happy with the way Jovan and Trace came back after a tough start on the first hole."
No. 10 Florida leads at 9-under 275 by a shot over No. 6 Texas and three shots ahead of No. 13 Auburn. No. 8 Southern California is in fourth at 2-under 282 ahead of No. 9 Oregon (283), North Texas (283), No. 22 Texas Tech (284), No. 17 Clemson (285), Ball State (288), Iowa (290), No. 24 Pepperdine (292), host SMU (292) and Kansas State (296).
Junior Jacob Solomon and sophomore Jovan Rebula are tied for 23rd at even par 71.as Solomon made three birdies at Nos. 7, 10 and 12 while Rebula, who doubled the first hole, came back with birdies at Nos. 2, 5 and 9 before making nine-straight pars.
Junior Trace Crowe, who finished third at the season-opening Carpet Capital Collegiate, is tied for 47th at 2-over 73. He doubled his first hole but came back with birdies at Nos. 5, 10 and 11.
Freshman Andrew Kozan, who is playing as an individual, shot an 80 and is tied for 76th.
Texas' Scottie Scheffler holds the individual lead with a 6-under 65, two shots ahead of a quartet of golfers and three shots ahead of Mancheno and Padgett.
Auburn tees off the second round on Monday at 9:20 am CT in the lead group with Florida and Texas off No. 1.
Live-scoring for the tournament can be found on www.golfstat.com