Parker Bell led Florida with an opening round of 67 (-5) and is one shot back of the lead.
STATESBORO, Ga. – The Florida men’s golf team shot 11-under in the opening round of the Schenkel Invitational on Friday to share the team lead with Middle Tennessee State.
After owning a 3-over team score in the first two holes, the Gators found its rhythm going 8-under on holes 3-9 to move up the leaderboard. Florida had a team score of 277, tied for its third lowest round of the season. Behind UF and MTSU is Kentucky at 7-under then Notre Dame and FGCU tied 5-under.
Six of the eight Gators competing this weekend at Forest Heights Country Club shot under par opening rounds, led by Parker Bell’s 67 (-5). The sophomore made two eagles coming on the par-5 7th and par-5 12th It marked his seventh round in the 60s this season and second-lowest of the season. He is tied for 3rd and one shot back of the lead.
Ian Gilligan also made two eagles to total his team-leading six on the year. His second eagle came on the final hole of the round, the par-5 18th of 600 yards to put Florida in a tie with the Blue Raiders. He regrouped from a +2 on the front nine to -4 on the back for a round one of 70 (-2) and sitsT12.
Counting the five Gators in the lineup, the group averaged 4.25 (-15) on par5s today and led the field in birdies (21) and eagles (4).
Florida’s second round in the 60s came from Matthew Kress’ 3-under 69. Tied for 6th, he carded seven birdies on the day with four on the front nine to move his season total of 90. The low round is his 13th on the season, one behind Gilligan’s team-best 14.
Three Gators recorded 1-under 71s in Quentin Debove, John DuBois and Jack Turner. The trio is tied for 17th as Debove and DuBois are competing as individuals.
The rest of the UF golfers playing feature Tyler Wilkes (T60) and Luke Poulter (T79).
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