Clemson, S.C.—Senior William Nottingham made his 100th career round at Clemson special, as he shot a three-under par 68 to lead Clemson to a 278 team score and a tie for third place with 10th ranked Texas after the first round of the Nike Golf Collegiate Invitational at the Pumpkin Ridge Witch Hollow Course in North Plains, Oregon.
Ninth-ranked Oklahoma has a six-shot lead over Oklahoma State and an eight-shot lead over Texas and Clemson entering Monday’s second round. The 15-team field that includes eight of the top 21 teams in the nation according to the latest Golf Coaches Association rankings, will play a final round on Tuesday.
While Clemson is in third place after the first round, the Tigers are ahead of third ranked Baylor, fourth ranked Wake Forest, seventh ranked Duke, and 19th ranked Southern California after 18 holes.
Nottingham, who entered the tournament with a 71.67 stroke average so far this year, made four birdies and just one bogey in one of his finest performances as a Tiger on the course that has been the host for six USGA Tournaments over the years. He stands in a tie for eighth place after the first round.
Jacob Bridgeman and Kyle Cottam are both tied for 19th, but just one shot back of Nottingham and others. Bridgeman’s two-under par round included three birdies and just one bogey. He shot a 33 on the back nine, his first nine of the day. Cottam had a 32 on the back thanks to four birdies. His five birdies on the day led the Clemson team and ranked fifth in the field.
Turk Pettit had a one-over-par 72 in the first round and stands in a tie for 41st among the 75 golfers. He had three bogeys in a five-hole stretch on the back nine that hurt his total for the day. Colby Patton was Clemson’s non-counter with a six over par 77. He played the par four holes in eight-over-par while playing the par three and par five holes at two under.
Play continues Monday and live scoring is available on golfstat.com.
