STRONG START HAS MEN’S GOLF IN FIFTH AT BIG SOUTH CHAMPIONSHIP

Follow @RadfordMGolf

ROUND 1 | PHOTO GALLERY

NINETY SIX, S.C. – After making the turn in 8-under-par, Radford struggled on the back nine to finish at 4-over-par 292 following Monday's first round of the 2014 Big South Men's Golf Championship at The Patriot Golf Club (par 72, 7,120 yards).

Despite wanting a stronger end to their round, the Highlanders are in fine position with 36 holes to go. Radford sits in fifth place, only seven back of Coastal Carolina. The Chanticleers fired a 3-under-par 285, which is one stroke ahead of Charleston Southern's 286. Winthrop is in third at even-par 288, while Liberty is fourth at 2-over-par 290. RU's 292 is its lowest first-round score at the Big South championship in program history.

On the strength of six birdies and an eagle, the Highlanders stormed out of the gate to a front-nine tally of 8-under-par. At that point, RU led Charleston Southern, which played the back nine first, by two shots.

Playing his usual steady game, Tanner Carbaugh is tied for second at 2-under-par 70. He recorded his only two birdies at the par-4 third and the par-5 fifth. The junior leads the field with his 16 pars.

A trio of Highlanders shot 2-over-par 74, which is tied for 19^th. Callum Tarren had it rolling in his round, getting to 4-under-par after driving the green in two at the par-5 13^th and 2-putting. However, he lost momentum over the next four holes to derail a superb round.

Tarren was one of only four golfers on the day to register an eagle. Thanks to his eagle at No. 8, Tarren is tied for first in par-5 scoring at 4-under-par.

Like Tarren, Conner Hayden started strong through his first 10 holes. After driving the ball in the left rough at No. 10, the sophomore stuck a wedge to close range to move to 2-under-par. Unfortunately, he could not stay in red figures as he returned a 74 to the clubhouse.

Ryan Rettberg was the third Highlander to sign for a 74. Following six straight pars to open his round, the junior finally recorded a birdie at the par-3 seventh when he converted an 8-foot uphill putt. Keeping the momentum going, he birdied the par-5 eighth, but his opening stretch on the back nine brought him back above par.

Tied for 26^th at 3-over-par 75 is Nick Brediger. He charted the second-most pars on the team with 12 to accompany two birdies. The freshman ended his round on a high note, hitting his second shot at the par-5 18^th to just right of the green. He went on to get up-and-down for birdie.

David Denlinger of Charleston Southern leads the 50-golfer field after firing a 6-under-par 66 in the first round. A quartet, which includes Carbaugh, is four swings behind at 2-under-par 70. In all, 13 golfers finished at-or-below par.

Tuesday's second round gets underway at 8:30 a.m. Radford begins its day at 9:20 a.m. off the 10^th hole with Liberty and Winthrop.

Print Friendly Version