HAYDEN TOPS LEADERBOARD AT DAVIDSON COLLEGE INVITATIONAL

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ROUND 2

DAVIDSON, N.C. – Conner Hayden was in the zone Tuesday, matching his career-low round of 5-under-par 67 to win his first collegiate golf tournament and elevate Radford to a third-place showing in the final round of the Davidson College Invitational hosted by the Wildcats at the par 72, 7,208-yard River Run Country Club.

"I am really proud of how the team responded today," head coach Mike Grant expressed. "Conner put together an outstanding round to win on a tough golf course against [three] nationally-ranked golfers. He has worked really hard and has earned this win."

Despite battling less than favorable scoring conditions, Hayden wasted little time dipping into red figures. The sophomore birdied four of his first five holes to race up the leaderboard. After giving one stroke back at the par-4 seventh hole, Hayden logged birdies at Nos. 10 and 13. With medalist honors on the line, he ended his round with five straight pars to seal the victory.

Hayden's 36-hole ledger of 2-under-par 142 (75-67) edged Tennessee's Oliver Goss by one shot. Goss, who entered the tournament as the 90^th-ranked golfer in the nation, concluded at 1-under-par 143 (71-72). In addition to Goss, there were two other nationally-ranked competitors in the 74-golfer field Hayden defeated.

Tanner Carbaugh notched his third top-20 performance of the season by finishing at 153 (74-79) to tie for 16^th. Callum Tarren charted two birdies over his final seven holes to post a 5-over-par 77. His two-day total of 159 (82-77) put the senior in a tie for 36^th.

Nick Brediger shaved six shots off his opening round to tie for 38^th at 160 (83-77). Ryan Rettberg tied for 52^nd at 165 (81-84).

Although Hayden stole the individual title away from one of its golfers, Tennessee did hoist the team title. The 48^th-ranked Volunteers (587) chalked up an 11-shot victory over 24^th-ranked Kent State (598). Following Radford (612) in the team standings was tournament host Davidson, which took fourth place at 614. Wofford completed the top five with its 618.

Radford returns to The Surf Golf and Beach Club in North Myrtle Beach, S.C., March 10-11, looking to defend its Bash at the Beach title from a year ago. The Highlanders finished the two-day tournament at 7-under-par 845 (281-274-290) to top the 11-team field. It was their first team title in over five years.

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