MARENA, Ariz. – Lucas Augustsson posted a first round 72 to lead Clemson to a 292 team score and an eighth place standing out of 14 teams after the first round of the Marena NCAA Regional at The Gallery Golf Club in Marena, Ariz.
The field will play its second round of stroke play on Tuesday followed by the final round on Wednesday. The top five teams advance to the NCAA Championship in Carlsbad, Calif. Jordan Byrd’s Tigers are tied for eighth with Saint Mary’s.
Clemson made 15 total birdies in its lineup on Tuesday but combined for six double-bogeys in the round, including a triple bogey.
The Tigers showed flashes of their fight and grit on the course, rebounding from a five-over-par start in the morning to move to two-under-par later in the round.
Augustsson led the Tigers with an even par score of 72 and was four-under-par through 14 holes before a triple bogey on the sixth blew up what otherwise was a great day for the senior.
Rich Wills and Oscar Bredkjaer each shot a one-over-par 73. Wills started three over through four holes but finished his last 14 at two-under-par, including a 35 on the front (-1). Bredkjaer birdied twice and made one bogey and one double bogey en route to his carded 73.
Colin Salema was the last counter for Clemson on Tuesday after a two-over 74 that included two birdies.
Senior Thomas Higgins struggled to a first round 77 and had three double bogeys on the card. He birdied three times.