Kristjansson, ETSU lead Seminole Intercollegiate
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – ETSU junior Gudmundur Kristjansson fired a 9-under 63 and holds a four-shot lead over the 90-man field at the Seminole Intercollegiate, while No. 41 ETSU also sits atop the leaderboard at 12-under-par 276 following Friday's opening round at the Southwood Golf Course.
Kristjansson, who totaled an eagle, eight birdies and one bogey in round one, not only posted his lowest collegiate score of his career, but tied the lowest round in program history. Rhys Davies also fired a 63 on May 9, 2005, at the UK Derby Invitational. Kristjansson carded four birdies on the front nine and finished the round with three straight birdies en route to his record-setting day. Sandwiched in between those birdies was his eagle, bogey and another birdie.
Joining Kristjansson was Mateusz Gradecki, Tom Heggarty and Adrian Meronk as the Buccaneer trio all finished at 1-under-par 71 and are tied for 20th.
As a team, the Blue and Gold hold a five-shot lead over 43rd-ranked Louisville and a six-stroke advantage over reigning tournament champion and SoCon partner Mercer.
Prior to Friday’s 63, Kristjansson’s previous low was a 66, which was set at last season’s Wolfpack Intercollegiate – a tournament the Bucs went on to win. ETSU’s team score of 276 also matches its lowest round since registering the same total in the opening round of that tournament.
The Bucs tee off Saturday at 10:10 a.m., from the first tee box.
Rule second, Mercer third at Seminole Intercollegiate
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Mercer senior Trey Rule fired his second straight 5-under-par 67 to headline the men’s golf team in Friday’s opening round of the Seminole Intercollegiate. The Bears wrapped up the first day of action in third place with a season-best round of 282.
Mercer moves to Saturday’s second-round of action just one stroke back of second-place Louisville in a tournament that features four top-10 programs and seven teams inside the Golfweek.com top 40. The Bears had all five players record scores of 76 or lower for the first time since accomplishing the feat in the second round of the 2014 NCAA Raleigh Regional.
Rule set the stage for an incredible day with an eagle on his first hole before wrapping up the round in a tie for second place on the leaderboard. The Eatonton, Ga. native had another unblemished scorecard with three birdies and one eagle.
Emmanuel Kountakis carded a team-best five birdies on Friday, finishing with a 2-under 70 to close in a tie for 15th. Sean Smothers finished one stroke behind in 20th place with a 1-under 71, while Jerry Ren and Jeffrey Heinicka Jr. fired scores of 74 and 76 respectively.
The Bears return to action Saturday, as they tee off with the top two teams, ETSU and Louisville, starting at 10:10 a.m.