Clemson Tied for Fifth after First Round in Puerto Rico

Clemson, S.C.—Freshmen Colby Patton and Turk Pettit both had rounds of two-under-par 69 to lead Clemson to an even-par score of 284 and a tie for fifth place after the first round of the Puerto Rico Classic at Rio Mar Country Club in Rio Mar, Puerto Rico. The 15 teams in the field for the 26th annual event will continue play in the second round on the par 71 Ocean Course on Monday.

Oklahoma has the lead at 10-under-par 274, while NC State and Georgia Tech are tied for second at 276. Host school Purdue is fourth at 277, while the defending champion Tigers and East Carolina are tied for fifth at 284.  Number-one ranked Alabama is seventh at two-over-par 286 and Georgia is eighth at 288.

Pettit and Patton had nearly identical rounds on Sunday. Pettit’s 69 included four birdies and two bogeys, while Patton had three birdies and a bogey. The two freshmen are tied for ninth in the 75-player field after the first round.

Doc Redman and Bryson Nimmer, two returning All-Americans had scores of 73 on Sunday. Redman had three birdies, three bogeys and a double bogey, while Nimmer had three birdies, and five bogeys.   They are tied for 37th.

Freshman Kyle Cottam had the most birdies among Clemson golfers with five, tied for seventh in the field, but he had a pair of double bogeys and finished with a 74 and was Clemson’s non-counter. He is tied for 38th.

Stephen Franken of NC State has a five shot lead in the individual race with a nine under par 62.