The University of Mississippi Athletics
Ole Miss
Chris Schenkel Invitational
Rebels Shine On Day One Of Schenkel Invitational
3/16/2012 | Men's Golf
March 16, 2012
STATESBORO, Ga. - Joe David and Blake Morris each fired season-best rounds-a 66 and 68, respectively-as the Ole Miss men's golf team got off to an excellent start in the first day of the Chris Schenkel Invitational hosted by Georgia Southern University.
The Rebels finished the day with an 8-under 280 to tie No. 24 Florida for second place in the team standings.
No. 7 Alabama topped the Rebels and Gators with a 268 in the first round of three at the par-72 Forest Heights Country Club.
"Joe David and Blake Morris had very good days and helped lead us into contention," said Ole Miss head coach Ernest Ross. "Scoring was helped by good warm temperatures and light winds. There were some tough pins out on the course which still makes it testy if you don't keep the ball in the right places. I am proud of our progress, but I realize this is only one round"
David's 66 landed the senior in a tie for second place. The 6-under matched the scores of two of the top-10 individual golfers in the nation and leaves him just one stroke behind the leader, Ben Kohles of Virginia. The Madison, Tenn., native rolled in six birdies and did not go over-par on a single hole to earn his best 18-hole score since firing a 63 in the SEC Tournament his freshman season.
Morris is tied for seventh place with a 4-under opening round. After starting on the 10th, Morris bogeyed the 13th, but would go on to roll in five birdies-three on the final four holes-and make par on the other remaining holes. The 68 tied the best single round score of Morris' collegiate career.
Senior Billy Brozovich and sophomore Tom Brown each carded a 1-over 73. Both had some early struggles before cruising through the final 11 holes.
Brozovich and Brown both sit just two strokes outside of the top-20.
Play will continue tomorrow with the second of three rounds. Fans can follow along with live scoring at www.OleMissSports.com. You can also follow the Rebels on twitter at @OleMissMGolf and on facebook at www.facebook.com/OleMissMGolf.
TEAM STANDINGS
CHRIS SCHENKEL INVITATIONAL
1 Alabama 268
T2 Florida 280
T2 Ole Miss 280
4 Auburn 282
5 Virginia 283
T6 Kentucky 286
T6 North Florida 286
T6 UAB 286
9 Notre Dame 289
10 South Carolina 293
11 Georgia Southern 296
12 Minnesota 300
13 North Carolina State 301
14 Vanderbilt 304
OLE MISS INDIVIDUALS
T2 Joe David 66
T7 Blake Morris 68
T36 Tom Brown 73
T36 Billy Brozovich 73
T62 Joe Lewis 76
