Tigers 4th after Day 1 of Clemson Invitational

Sunset, S.C.—Sydney Legacy shot a career best 68 and Kennedy Swann added a 69 to lead Clemson to a 283 team score and a fourth-place standing out of 15 teams after the first round of the Clemson Invitational at The Reserve at Lake Keowee in Sunset, S.C.

Seventh-ranked Furman and 11th ranked Michigan State are tied for the team lead at 11-under-par 277 after the first 18 holes. Ohio State is third at 280 and the Tigers are fourth at 283, three shots ahead of Vanderbilt.   The field includes 11 of the top 50 teams in the nation.

Clemson’s 283 on Friday was its best team round by five shots in the three years of the event. It also tied for the third best round vs. par by the Clemson team this year.

The individual leader is Sarah Burnham of Michigan State who fired a six-under-par 66. Allyson Geer of Michigan State and Reona Hirai of Furman are tied for second at five-under-par 67.

Legacy is tied for fourth after her four-under-par 68 on Friday. The senior from Lexington, S.C. was nearly flawless on the back nine with a four-under par 32 after shooting an even par 36 on the front.   Legacy had six birdies for the round, also a career high and her six birdies tied for second best in the field of 84 golfers on Friday.

Swann’s 69 included four birdies. She was three-under-par on the par four holes, best in the field. It was her fifth round in the 60s this year, most on the Clemson team. She is tied for sixth in the individual race after 18 holes.

Alice Hewson, Clemson’s top golfer this year with a 71.94 stroke average, was the third Clemson player to shoot under par after a two under par 70. She finished strong with a birdie on the 18th hole, one of three Tigers to achieve that. She stands in a tie for 10th entering the second round.

Ana Paula Valdes shot 38 on each side and finished with a 76, while senior Marisa Messana had an 80.   Ashley Czarnecki had a 74 and freshman Callista Rica had a season best 72. Both Czarnecki and Rice played as individuals.

The 15 teams continue play on Saturday with the second round, followed by the final round on Sunday. Live results are available on golfstat.com. Play on Saturday begins at 8:15 a.m.. Clemson’s first player begins at 9:15 a.m.