CLEMSON, S.C. — Freshman Colin Salema shot a three-under-par 69 for his best round of the young season to lead Clemson to a season best six-under-par team score and a tie for seventh place after the first round of the Valero Texas Collegiate on Saturday. The 15-team field includes 10 teams who reached the NCAA National Championship tournament last spring.
The three-day 54-hole tournament is being played at the TPC San Antonio, the yearly site of the Valero Texas Open on the PGA Tour.
Salema is tied for ninth place after the first round in a field that includes many of the top players in the nation. He started two over par after the first six holes, then played the last five holes at four under par. That late run included his first career eagle on the 554-yard 14th hole and birdies on the 17th and 18th holes.
Salema was a big reason the Clemson team played the last five holes and 11-under, enabling the Tigers to jump from 12th to tied for seventh with Tennessee after the first round. Oklahoma has the team teams at 20-under par 268, but the Tigers are just three shots out of fourth place entering the second round.
Senior Kian Rose also made a strong contribution with a two under par score of 70. He had five birdies on the day, including three birdies on the last five holes, including the 550 yard par five 18th. He is tied for 23rd after the first round.
Andrew Swanson was Clemson’s third player with an under par round on Saturday. The senior started two over par for the first two holes, then played the back nine at two under. Freshman Rich Wills had an even par 72 thanks to playing the final five holes at two under par.
Junior Thomas Higgins was Clemson’s non counter in the first round with a 77. Lucas Augustsson is playing the tournament as an individual and had a two over par 74 with four birdies.
The tournament continues on Sunday with the second round. Live scoring is available on golfstat.com.
