Mississippi State
Tiger Invitational
Grant and Walker Pace Bulldogs In Opening Round At Tiger Invitational
March 08, 2015 | Men's Golf
OPELIKA, Ala – Looking to win its second Tiger Invitational in three years, the Mississippi State men's golf team led, by Tim Walker and Taylor Grant, finished the opening round in a tie for 12th with a 305.
Walker, the Australian native, birdied three holes on the back nine before turning in a two-over-par 74 card, tying him for 18th.
Joining Walker in a tie for 18th is Grant. The freshman shot an identical 74 after being in the Top 10 for most of the day.
“Taylor Grant's level of consistency is encouraging to me as well as the play of Tim Walker,” MSU coach Clay Homan said.
Freshman Johnny Newnham shot a first round 77 to place him in a tie for 49th.
Ben Wood, the only returner from last year's team that finished third, carded an 80 placing him in a tie for 74th heading into Monday's second round.
Rounding out the Bulldog scorecard is Jackson Dick. The sophomore from Australia turned in a first round 81 to place him in a tie for 79th.
Competing as an individual, Taylor Bibbs shot a 76 for the first round leaving him in a tie for 40th.
“It was a pretty disappointing day. We let the big number kill whatever positives we had. We made enough birdies to post a good team scores,” Homan said. “There are a few holes out here where your execution has to be at a high level.”
Host and 10th ranked Auburn holds a four shot lead.
The Maroon & White tee off Monday's second round at 7:45.
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Tiger Invitational – Round 1
1. #10 Auburn (290, +2)
2. Ole Miss (294, +6)
T3. Kansas State (295, +7)
T3. Tulsa (295, +7)
T5. Troy (296, +8)
7. North Carolina-Greensboro (297, +9)
8. Georgia State (300, +12)
9. South Alabama (301, +13)
10. Santa Clara (303, +15)
11. Tennessee-Chattanooga (304, +16,)
T12. Mississippi State (305, +17)
T12. Memphis (305, +17)
14. Jacksonville State (306, +18)
15. Mercer (309, +21)
16. Akron (311, +23)
MSU Players
T18. Tim Walker (74, +2)
T18. Taylor Grant (74, +2)
T49. Johnny Newham (77, +5)
T74. Ben Wood (80, +8)
T79. Jackson Dick (81, +9)
Competing as an Individual
T40. Taylor Bibbs (76, +4)
