Furman ninth at Bank of Tennessee Intercollegiate

JONESBOROUGH, Tenn. – Freshman Bryce Howell (-5) fired an opening-round 67 on Friday to lead Furman in the first day of the Bank of Tennessee Intercollegiate at the par-72 7,147-yard Blackthorn Club at The Ridges. The Paladins (+4) rank ninth out of 14 teams following the first day of competition.

Howell, who enters Saturday’s second round tied for second overall, registered back-to-back birdies on 5 and 6 then put together consecutive birdies twice on the back nine to finish the day one stroke behind leader Rhys Pugh of East Tennessee State, who fired a 66 in the opening round.

Sophomore Wehman Hopke (+1) finished the round at 1-over-par after shooting a 73, including a birdie on the second hole, to place in a tie for 29th in the tournament’s opening round, while junior Michael Borton (+2) carded a 74 with three birdies in Friday’s round for a 41st-place finish.

Sophomore Preston Heyward (+6) shot a 78 to open the tournament, tying for 64th after the opening round, and sophomore Preston Cole (+6) birdied the opening hole to tie for 68th after carding an 80 in Friday’s round.

ETSU (-11) holds a seven-stroke lead over Virginia Tech (-4) following the first day of competition. Kent State (-3) stands in third place entering the tournament’s second round.

The Paladins will tee off of No. 1 Saturday at 10:20 a.m. in second- round action.