Clemson, SC—Jonathan Nielsen fired a career best eight-under-par 64 on Sunday to lead Clemson to a tie for fifth place after the first round of the Linger Longer Invitational at the Great Waters Course in Eatonton, GA. The 14 teams in the field will continue play on Monday and Tuesday at the 54-hole event.
Clemson had a team score of seven-under-par 281 on the par 72 course that measures 7436 yards, the second longest course Clemson has played this year. Alabama has the team lead at 267, 21-under par. Clemson is just five shots out of second-place Virginia, two behind Georgia and one behind Georgia Tech. Clemson is tied with UNC Greensboro in the team race.
Nielsen, a senior playing in 50th career round, tied the Clemson record for eagles in a round when he had eagles on the par five sixth and the par five 18th. He became the second Clemson golfer to post two eagles in a round this year, as Thomas Higgins also did it at a tournament in Hawaii back in October.
Nielsen’s 64 is second in the field of 81 golfers, trailing only the 10-under-par 62 by Jonathan Griz of Alabama. It was Nielsen’s career best round by two shots. His round included the two eagles, five birdies and just one bogey.
Andrew Swanson, who was number-one in the lineup entering this tournament, shot a two under par 70 on Sunday thanks to four birdies and two bogeys. He had three of the birdies on the front nine, his second nine of the day when he shot three under par 33. Swanson is in 17th place in the individual race after 18 holes.
Alberto Dominguez was Clemson’s third best golfer on Sunday with a one over par 73, good enough for 43rd place.
Thomas Higgins, the only native of Ireland in the Clemson lineup on St. Patrick;s Day had a two over par 74, as did junior Kian Rose.
Live scoring will be available on Monday on golfstat.com.
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