Tigers in the hunt after opening round at SEC Championship

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April 25, 2018

ST. SIMONS ISLAND, Ga. - The No. 9 Auburn men's golf team is tied for second after the opening round of the Southeastern Conference Championship at Sea Island Golf Club. The Tigers posted an even-par 280 in their first circuit of the par-70 Seaside Course.

Auburn trails No. 4 Vanderbilt by just four strokes and is level with Tennessee.

Junior Trace Crowe and freshman Brandon Mancheno are tied for third individually after posting rounds of 68 (-2) each. Crowe started strong with four birdies on the back nine, while Mancheno closed with three below-par holes on the front nine. The Tigers teed off on the 10th hole.

Freshman Wells Padgett carded 14 pars en route to an even-par 70. In his first tour of the course, Padgett knocked in a birdie on both the front and back nine.

Junior Ryan Knop and sophomore Jovan Rebula are tied for 44th and 61st, respectively. Knop ended his day with a 74 (+4), while Rebula shot a 76 (+6). Both golfers had most of their success on the back nine as they combined for four birdies.

Vanderbilt found itself in first after the opening round of stroke play with a 276 (-4). Auburn and Tennessee are next in the team standings with even-par 280 rounds apiece, followed by No. 11 LSU (+1), No. 6 Alabama (+3), No. 19 Kentucky (+6), Missouri (+7), South Carolina (+8), Ole Miss (+8), No. 16 Arkansas (+9), Georgia (+11), Mississippi State (+13), No. 7 Florida (+13) and No. 2 Texas A&M (+16).

The Tigers are paired with Tennessee and Vanderbilt for the second round of the SEC Championship. Tee time is set for 8:10 a.m. CT off the first tee box. Live scoring will be available at Golfstat.com.

Team Standings
1. Vanderbilt - 276 (-4)
T-2. Auburn - 280 (E)
T-2. Tennessee - 280 (E)
4. LSU - 281 (+1)
5. Alabama - 283 (+3)
6. Kentucky - 286 (+6)
7. Missouri - 287 (+7)
T-8. South Carolina - 288 (+8)
T-8. Ole Miss - 288 (+8)
10. Arkansas - 289 (+9)
11. Georgia - 291 (+11)
T-12. Mississippi State - 293 (+13)
T-12. Florida - 293 (+13)
14. Texas A&M - 296 (+16)

Auburn Individuals
T-3. Trace Crowe - 67 (-3)
T-3. Brandon Mancheno - 67 (-3)
T-11. Wells Padgett - 70 (E)
T-44. Ryan Knop - 74 (+4)
T-61. Jovan Rebula - 76 (+6)