Clemson, S.C.—Sophomore Kian Rose shot a career best five-under-par 65 on Friday to lead Clemson to an even-par team score of 280 at the Maui Jim Intercollegiate at Mirabel Golf Club in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Clemson stands in a tie for 14th place out of 18 teams after the first round on the par 70 course that measures 7,118 yards. The field includes six teams from the ACC, six teams from the Pac 12 and two teams from the SEC. The list of teams in the field include seven top 25 teams, including fourth-ranked Georgia Tech and fifth-ranked Arizona State.
Rose had nine-hole scores of 33-32 with six birdies and just one bogey. He stands in a tie for seventh place after 18 holes. His previous career best round was a 67 in the third round of this same tournament on the same course last year.
Jonathan Nielsen was Clemson’s second best golfer on Friday with an even-par 70. Nielson shot 36 on the front nine, his second nine of the day and 34 on the back. The transfer from Carson-Newman, who was a second-team Division II All-American last year, had six birdies on the day to tie Rose for team honors. He had just one blemish over his last 12 holes, but it was a triple bogey seven on the par four fifth hole.
Drayton Stewart, who is playing the number-one position in the lineup after shooting an 11-under-par score for four qualifying rounds, shot two-over -par 72 on Friday. He had two double bogeys within his first six holes, but settled down to shoot two-under par over the last 12.
Senior Carter Pendley and sophomore Andrew Swanson both had rounds of three-over-par 73 to open the season. Pendley shot 38 on the back nine, his first nine of the day, then finished strong with an even-par 35 on the front. Swanson did the opposite, opening with a 35 on the back before shooting 38 on the front.
Auburn has the team lead with an incredible team round of 22-under-par 258. Oregon is second at 12-under-par 268, while Washington and Tennessee are tied for third at 11-under 269.
Auburn was led by Ryan Eshleman, who has a three shot lead after shooting a 60.
Two Clemson players are playing the individual Maui Jim Intercollegiate at Desert Mountain’s Outlaw Course in Scottsdale. Alberto Dominquez had a two under-par 70 in the first round and is tied for ninth in the 37-player field. Super Senior Zack Gordon had an even par 72 to stand in 16th place.
The tournament continues on Saturday. Live scoring is available on golfstat.com.
