ROCKY FACE, Ga. – Junior Ryan Knop and sophomore Wells Padgett paced the No. 6 Auburn men's golf team in the first round of the Carpet Capital Collegiate. Knop and Padgett each shot a 1-under 71 in the opening circuit of The Farm Golf Club Friday afternoon.
As a team, the Tigers are in sixth after carding a 5-over 293. Auburn is just three shots behind fifth-place Clemson following the opening round.
Padgett paced the squad with five birdies on the day, including three in his first seven holes. The Wichita, Kan. native went even par on the front nine and, behind six pars and two birdies, finished the back nine at 1-under. He is in a tie for eighth overall.
Knop, who was competing as an individual, started strong and finished strong in his 2018-19 debut. Despite three bogeys in the middle portion of his round, the Pleasanton, Calif. native racked up three birdies in a span of four holes to close out a strong day on the links and tie his teammate for eighth on the leaderboard.
Sophomore Brandon Mancheno and senior Jacob Solomon came into the clubhouse in a tie for 28th and 36th, respectively. Mancheno carded a 1-over 73, while Solomon turned in a 2-over 74.
The highlight of the day came off the club of Solomon when the Dublin, Calif. drained an eagle on the par-5, 498-yard 12th hole.
Sophomore Andrew Kozan and junior Graysen Huff rounded out the Auburn contingent with rounds of 75 (+3) and 78 (+6), respectively. Kozan is tied for 42nd, while Huff is in a tie for 67th overall.
Tennessee leads the field at 8-under (280), followed by No. 7 Georgia Tech (281), No. 2 Alabama (288), Kennesaw State (288), No. 13 Clemson (290), No. 6 Auburn (293), Virginia (294), South Carolina (294), Chattanooga (295), No. 9 LSU (296), No. 8 Florida (301), No. 11 Cal (301), North Florida (301), Colorado State (301) and Dalton State (303).
The Tigers are paired with Clemson and Kennesaw for the second round, beginning off the first tee at 7:45 a.m. CT. Live scoring can be found on www.golfstat.com.
Team Scores
1. Tennessee: -8 (280)
2. Georgia Tech: -7 (281)
T-3. Alabama: E (288)
T-3. Kennesaw State: E (288)
5. Clemson: +2 (290)
6. Auburn: +5 (293)
T-7. Virginia: +6 (294)
T-7. South Carolina: +6 (294)
9. Chattanooga: +7 (295)
10. LSU: +8 (296)
T-11. Florida: +13 (301)
T-11. Cal: +13 (301)
T-11. North Florida: +13 (301)
T-11. Colorado State: +13 (301)
15. Dalton State: +15 (303)
Auburn Individuals
T-8. Wells Padgett: -1 (71)
T-8. Ryan Knop: -1 (71) – ind.
T-28. Brandon Mancheno: +1 (73)
T-36. Jacob Solomon: +2 (74)
T-42. Andrew Kozan: +3 (75)
T-67. Graysen Huff: +6 (78)
Knop, Padgett lead Auburn in opening round of Carpet Capital Collegiate
