CLEMSON, S.C. — Rich Wills, Colin Salema and Thomas Higgins all rank in the top 10 after the first round, leading the Clemson golf team to a three-shot lead at the Marquette Intercollegiate at Erin Hills in Hartford, Wisconsin. The 14 team field began play in the three day 54 hole tournament on Sunday.
Clemson has a three-shot lead over San Diego State with a team score of 15-over-par 303 on the par 72 course that measures 7,551 yards. Oral Roberts is third at 19 over par 307. The average score for the 88 players in the first round was just under 79 and no player shot par or better. Erin Hills is a major championship course that has been the site of the U.S. Women’s Open, the U.S. Men’s Open and the U.S. Amateur.
Wills was Clemson’t top golfer in the first round with a two-over-par 74, good enough for third place in the individual race. He had nine hole scores of 37-37, and finished with two birdies and four bogeys. The sophomore entered the tournament with a 71.89 stroke average.
Classmate Colin Salema and senior Thomas Higgins both had rounds of three-over-par 75 and are tied for seventh place after 18 holes. Salema had a team best three birdies. His front nine score 35 was the best nine-hole score by a Tiger golfer on Sunday. Higgins had two birdies, a double bogey and three bogeys in scoring his 75.
Lucas Augustsson, Clemson’s top golfer entering the tournament with a 70.56 average, had an opening round 79 after nine-hole scores of 38-41. Freshman Samuel Duran had an opening round 80.
Clemson is playing the event without starters Oscar Bredkjaer, who is playing for the Denmark team in World Team Amateur Championships, and Jackson Byrd, who is out with a back ailment.
The tournament continues on Monday with live scoring available HERE.
