CLEMSON, S.C. — Clemson senior Jacob Bridgeman fired a four-under-par 68 in the opening round of the Calusa Cup on Sunday and tied the school career record for rounds in the 60s. The tournament is being held Sunday-through-Tuesday at Calusa Pines Golf Club in Naples, Fla.
Bridgeman’s 68 was his 46th career round in the 60s, tied for first in school history with Bryson Nimmer, who was an All-American at Clemson between 2015-19. It was the continuation of quite a month for Bridgeman, who has now shot in the 60s in six of his last seven rounds and in 11 of 22 rounds this year.
Clemson is in eighth place in the nine-team field that includes seven of the top 25 teams in the nation. The Tigers have a team score of eight-over-par 296 after the first round, just six shots behind number-one ranked Oklahoma, and just nine shots behind fourth-place Wake Forest after the first 18 holes. Florida holds the first round lead.
Bridgeman has been among the top players in the nation this spring and has moved up to ninth place in the latest PGA University rankings. He has averaged 68.2 over his last 10 rounds and has finished in the top four in three straight tournaments. His opening round 68 included four birdies, including the 17th and 18 holes, and an eagle on the par five sixth hole, which measures 545 yards. He stands in a tie for third place in the medalist race. Ricky Castillo has the individual lead at seven under par.
Graduate student Colby Patton was Clemson’s second best player in the opening round with a 74. Patton played the last six holes in two-under-par in scoring his 74. He had nine-hole scores of 38-36 and is in a tie for 26th.
Freshman Kian Rose played the last five holes in one-under-par in shooting a 75 in the opening round. Rose got off to a rough start with a triple bogey on the first hole, then played the last 17 in even par. He stands in a tie for 30th individually.
Seniors Zack Gordon and Kyle Cottam struggled on Sunday. Gordon had four birdies, but had five double bogeys. Cottam, who flew from Arizona on Saturday after playing in the Canadian Tour Qualifier, started with six straight pars, but finished with an 84.
Clemson and the other eight schools return to the course on Monday for the second round. Live scoring is available on golfstat.com.
