Georgia Tech’s Ross Steelman took a one-stroke lead after a first round 64. The only player in the top-10 to post a bogeyless scorecard, Steelman started out hot, with three birdies in the first four holes to make the turn at 3-under par.
He added three more birdies on the back nine to finish at -6 for the day, one ahead of Cole Sherwood of Vanderbilt at -5, who lit up the back nine (No. 10 start), with five birdies and a bogey.
Two strokes of Steelman’s pace, Arkansas’ Mateo Fernandez De Oliveira and New Mexico’s Matthew Watkins finished tied for third place at -4. Fernandez Del Oliveira posted an evenhanded round, with three birdies and a bogey per side while Watkins finished with a steady 2-under on the back nine.
Thirteen players sit within four shots of the lead headed into the second round.
