CLEMSON, S.C. — Clemson senior Kian Rose fired a five-under-par 31 on the back nine to lead Clemson to a 289 team score and a fifth-place standing out of 12 teams after the first round of the Watersound Invitational at Shark’s Tooth Golf Course in Panama City Beach, Fla.
Host school Florida State has the lead with a 10-under-par score of 278, while UCLA is second at seven-under-par 281. Alabama is third at 285 and Michigan State is fourth at 287. Clemson is fifth at 289, two shots ahead of sixth place Mississippi and Georgia Tech.
Clemson made a strong comeback on its second nine of the day to reach the top five. Clemson’s team score was +6 after the back nine, the team’s first nine of the day. The Tigers then shot five under as a team on the front nine.
Rose led the way with a five under par 31 on the front, including an eagle three on the par five third hole. It was the low score by a Clemson golfer on the front nine this year. The eagle was his second eagle of the year and seventh of his career. He also made three birdies on the front nine. Rose, a native of South Africa is coming off his first tournament victory, the Battle of Briar’s Creek on Feb. 3-4.
Rose stands in tie for 13th place with his one-under par score of 71, his eighth under par round of the year.
Lucas Augustsson also had a one under par 71 on Monday and is also tied for 13th place. He birdied two of the last four holes to shoot 35 on the front nine and 71 for the day.
Freshman Rich Wills had nine hole scores of even par 36-36 to finish at 72 and is in 18th place. It was his 16th consecutive round at 75 or under this year, his eighth round of par or better.
Veterans Thomas Higgins and Andrew Swanson both had rounds of three over par 75 and stands in 46th place. Sean Curran is playing this event as an individual and had an 81.
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