CLEMSON, S.C. — Oscar Bredkjaer shot a three-under-par 69 to lead Clemson to a one-under-par team score of 287 and a tie for ninth after the first round of The Hayt Collegiate at Sawgrass Country Club in Jacksonville, Fla. The Tigers are tied for ninth in the 16-team field that includes seven of the top 25 teams in the nation.
Six of the eight teams ahead of Clemson in the standings are top 25 teams, including #1 Virginia, #2 Auburn and sixth ranked LSU. LSU leads the way at 14-under, while Virginia is second at -12. Auburn and Alabama are tied for third at nine-under-par. Clemson is tied with 11th ranked Texas Tech and South Florida.
Clemson finished strong, playing the front nine, the team’s second nine of the day, in five-under-par. All four Clemson players whose round counted towards the team score, played the front nine under-par.
Bredkjaer is Clemson’s top golfer with a 72.14 stroke average entering the event. Saturday’s 69 was his fifth round in the 60s this year. His round included an eagle on the par five 18th hole, his third eagle of the year. He also had two birdies and just one bogey on the par 72 course. The transfer from San Francisco is in 14th place in the individual race, three shots behind leader William Love of Duke.
Senior Lucas Augustsson had an even-par 72 in the opening round thanks to four birdies and four bogeys. He stands in 35th place after the first round.
Sophomores Rich Wills and Colin Salema both had rounds of one-over-par 73. Both players had three birdies and four bogeys and stand in a tie for 50th place individually. Freshman Jackson Byrd had a 79 and was Clemson’s non-counting player in the first round.
Action in the three-day, 54-hole tournament continues on Sunday. Live scoring is available HERE.