USC Upstate Completes First Round at National Golf Invitational
By USC Upstate Athletics
MARICOPA, Ariz. -- Rylie Kosney shoots an even par 72 to lead the USC Upstate Spartans in the first round of the National Golf Invitational at the Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club in Maricopa, Ariz. on Friday, May 10.
A sophomore from Sacramento, Calif., Kosney sits tied for 9th after the first 18 holes, a round that as the day wore on got more challenging for all the competitors with gusty winds and rising temperatures drying the already quick greens.
As a team, the Spartans are second best in the tournament in pars, behind only Santa Clara, however the team will look to improve on birdies in round two finishing the first round with six, lowest in the field. As a unit, the Spartans are in a three-way tie for 8th after the first round, part of a tightly packed group of six teams separated by just three strokes.
Freshman Supatta Putttanavarat shot a 4-over 76 and is tied for 21st while seniors Preaw Nontarux and Suwarin Yord-in each shot 78 (+6) and junior Alexis Rieli shot 79 on Friday.
Saturday's second round will see the Spartans tee-off from Hole 10 between 7:30 and 8:06 am MST. Live scoring is available
here.