Butler guides Tigers through 27 holes at General Hackler Championship

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – Completing a round and a half of play to kickstart tournament action on Sunday, Auburn men's golf sits atop the team leaderboard at the General Hackler Championship thanks to sophomore J.M. Butler, who leads all golfers at 6-under through the first 27 holes of play.
 
Due to frost on the course, tee times for Sunday's opening round were delayed. Despite the weather, the Tigers still managed to come out hot, firing a round's best 7-under, 281 to lead the field.
 
"It was a long, cold day, and the wind really picked up as we progressed, but the guys did not let that get to them," Tigers head coach Nick Clinard said. "They're playing well and really competing. I'm proud of how they've come out focused and dedicated to the task at hand."
 
 In round one, Butler and freshman Brendan Valdes both chipped in a pair of rounds in the 60s, shooting 68 and 69, respectively, as the only pair of golfers on the same team to do so.
 
Freshman Evan Vo also ended the first 18 holes below par. Vo shot 1-under, 71 to wrap up round one just outside the top-10 in the individual standings.
 
The junior duo of Austin Coggin and C.J. Easley followed closely behind. Coggin turned in a scorecard of 1-over, 73 while Easley shot 2-over, 74. The Tigers' individual golfer, Alex Vogelsong matched Coggin with a 73 of his own.
 
Continuing to the second cycle, Auburn played through the front nine before the round was called due to darkness. Through 27 holes, the Tigers' score sits at 10 strokes below par.
 
Butler and Vo matched one bogey with three birdies apiece to post a pair of 2-unders through the nine holes. Easley also helped increase the Tiger lead with a clean, 1-under front half.
 
Heading into the Monday's action, Auburn holds a six-stroke lead over second-place South Carolina. The Tigers resume play in a shotgun start at 8:30 a.m. CT before playing through the final 18 holes later the same afternoon.
 
"We're excited about the opportunity to finish strong at such a great venue tomorrow," Clinard said. "We're going to rest up and come out ready to play our last 27 holes."