Clemson Stands Sixth After First Round of Isleworth-UCF Collegiate

Oct. 21, 2007

Windermere, FL-Kyle Stanley fired a three-under par 69 and classmate Sam Saunders shot a one-under par 71 on Sunday to lead Clemson to a 287 team score and a sixth place standing after the first round of the 18-team Isleworth-UCF Collegiate at Isleworth Golf Club in Windermere, FL. The 54-hole event continues Monday and Tuesday at the par 72 course that is 7,449 yards in length.

Clemson is in sixth place, but stands just three shots out of first after the first 18 holes. Oklahoma State, Southern California and host school Central Florida stand in first place with a 284 score after the first round. Wake Forest is fourth with a 285 team score, while Florida State is fifth with a 286 score. Clemson is sixth at 287, one-under par and two shots better than seventh place South Carolina.

Stanley led the Tigers with his three under par 69. His clean round included four birdies and one bogey. He shot two under par on the par threes and two under par on the par fives in recording his fourth consecutive round at par or better. Stanley is in a tie for fourth place after one round and is just one shot out of first place. Rhys Enoch of East Tennessee State, Greg Forest of Central Florida and Jamie Lovemark of Southern California, the defending NCAA Champion, are all tied for first at 68.

Saunders’ round of 71 included four birdies and three bogeys. The native of Orlando, FL who has played the course many times, had a bogey on the 18th hole, but still ranks in a tie for 17th after one round. He finished 10th at the same tournament last year as a freshman.

Clemson played the first nine holes at six over par and stood in 15th position, then shot seven under par on the back nine to make up nine positions in the competitive field that includes 10 top 20 teams in the latest Golf World Coaches Poll. Luke Hopkins had a lot to do with that comeback as the sophomore was three over for the first eight holes, then shot three under par the rest of the way to finish at 72. He is tied for 23rd after the first round.

Tanner Ervin also contributed to the comeback. The senior was three over par after two holes, then played the last 16 holes at even par to finish with a 75. Ben Martin also started slowly thanks to a triple bogey on the first hole and a double bogey on the sixth. But, played the last 12 holes one under par and finished with a 77.

The action continues Monday with the final round scheduled for Tuesday.