KIAWAH ISLAND, S.C. – The Radford men's golf team completed its opening round of the Kiawah Classic at Turtle Point on Sunday, shooting a team score of 11-over 299 to place in a tie for 13th.
 
Peter Gasperini leads the Highlanders and is tied for 16th overall after firing an even-par 72 to begin the tournament. Gasperini took advantage of the par-4 holes on the course, shooting 2-under on those holes to rank sixth in the field for that category.
 
Nicholas Taliaferro and Andrew Kennedy are tied for 58th after shooting identical scores of 3-over 75. Kennedy had three birdies, which was tied with Gasperini for most by a Highlander in the opening round, while Taliaferro tied for the team lead with 13 pars in the round.
 
Rounding out the day for the Highlanders, Tyler Hull was on his way to a low score before double-bogeys on each of the last two holes dropped him to 5-over. Hunter Duncan finished the day at 6-over.
 
Overall, Auburn leads the 21-team field after shooting a 14-under 274 in the opening round. The Tigers, who are ranked 24th in the nation, have a nine-shot lead over Augusta. Radford is in a three-way tie for 13th with Western Carolina and 47th-ranked Memphis. The Highlanders are just eight shots outside the top five. Auburn's Jovan Rebula, a top-100 ranked individual, leads the tournament field after shooting an 8-under 64 in the opening round.
 
RADFORD LINEUP
T16 • Peter Gasperini | 72 (E)
T58 • Nicholas Taliaferro | 75 (+3)
T58 • Andrew Kennedy | 75 (+3)
T74 • Tyler Hull | 77 (+5)
T87 • Hunter Duncan | 78 (+6)
 
UP NEXT
The Highlanders continue play at the Kiawah Classic on Monday with the second round at Turtle Point Golf Course. Duncan will be the first to tee off for Radford, going off hole No. 10 at 8:20 a.m.
 
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