Coalson leads Tiger Invitational, UNCG seventh
OPELIKA, Ala. – UNCG junior men’s golfer Taylor Coalson holds the individual outright lead at the Tiger Invitational after round one Sunday at the Grand National Lake Course hosting by Auburn University. Coalson’s play helped the Spartans place seventh overall as a team, just three shots out of second place and only five out of the top spot.
Coalson fired a 4-under 68 in the opening round, his second-lowest round of the season and the fourth lowest-round of his career. He carded six birdies, two bogeys and 10 par scores on his way to the top of the leaderboard. He opened his round on hole No. 10 and quickly birdied Nos. 11, 16 and 17 on the front nine. He continued his strong play on the back nine with birdies on holes Nos. 2, 4 and 5.
Coalson holds a one-stroke lead over Jake Tucker of Troy and Hayden Shieh of Santa Clara, who are tied for second at 2-under-par. Only six golfers total posted scores under par 72 Sunday afternoon.
Overall, the Spartans posted a 9-over-par 297 score. UNCG is just three shots out of second place, which is held by Mississippi (294), and five out of first place, held by tournament host Auburn (292). The Spartans will tee off in the second round in the first pairings from hole No. 1 with tee times from 7:45-8:21 a.m.
Senior Roy Dixon is tied for 35th overall after posting a 3-over par 75 in round one. Dixon carded three birdies on the afternoon on holes Nos. 1, 13, and 17.
Freshman Josh Stockwell posted a 4-over-par 76 in the first round to sit in a tie for 40th place overall. Stockwell carded 11 par scores and birdied hole No. 1 on his solid round. Sophomore Jake McGlone rounded out the Spartans’ counting scores with a 6-over-par 78 to sit in a tie for 61st place overall. Senior Alex Ehlert closed out the lineup with a first-round score of 87.
Chattanooga 11th at Tiger Invitational
OPELIKA, Ala. – The Chattanooga Mocs got off to a slow start at the Tiger Invitational on Sunday. Chattanooga is 11th, one stroke ahead of Mississippi State and Memphis, after 18 holes on the Grand National Lake Course.
The Mocs 304 (+16) were led by sophomore Ewan Scott. Scott’s round started on No. 10. He parred 10 before birdies on 11 and 12. After bogeys on 14, 16 and 17, he birdied 18 to turn at even. Three more bogeys on the second nine was offset with birdies on seven and nine for his +1 total, tying him for 12th.
Andrew Weathers and Kory Webb shot 76 and 77, respectively. Liam Johnston added a 78, while Wes Gosselin turned in the drop score with a 79. Brooks Thomas carded a 78 as an individual.
No. 14 Auburn holds a four-stroke lead shooting +2 (290). Ole Miss is in second at +6 (294), with Kansas State and Tulsa another shot back at +7 (295). UNCG’s Taylor Coalson is atop the leaderboard at -4. Troy’s Jake Tucker and Santa Clara’s Hayden Shieh are tied for second at -3.
Round two begins on the 10th hole at 8:45 a.m., Eastern team. Gosselin leads off ahead of Johnston (7:54), Webb (8:03), Weathers (8:12) and Scott (8:21).