OPELIKA, ALA.–The LSU men’s golf team wrapped up the first of three rounds of the Billy Hitchcock Intercollegiate in a tie for fifth place overall.
As a team, LSU shot a 291 at three-over par, tying with Vanderbilt after 18 holes. The Tigers stand 10 strokes off the pace of leader and host Auburn, which shot a 281 at 7-under par. Mississippi State stands one stroke back in second at 6-under par 282.
Individually, Mississippi State’s Alex Rocha leads the way after blistering the field with an opening round of 62 at 10 under par, breaking a course record at Saugahatchee Country Club. The next closest competitors are John Kidwell of Oklahoma and Andy Smith of Southeastern Louisiana, who tied for second with identical 4-under par 68 scores.
Leading the way for LSU are Alan Morgan and John Humphries. Both Tiger golfers stand tied for ninth place overall, nine strokes off the pace of the leader Rocha at 1-under par 71.
Mike Vallillo finds himself in tied for 20th position overall after a first round score of one-over par 73. Also competing for LSU are Jeremy Wilkinson, who stands in 45th place after day one with an 18 hole score of 76 at 4-over. Billy Dressler also participated for the Tigers on day one, shooting a 6-over par 78 to tie for 54th position.
The tournament continues tomorrow, with 18 holes starting at 8 a.m., and concludes on Sunday with the final 18 holes.