The No. 1 Emory men's golf team sent two groups of golfers to the Chick-fil-A Collegiate Invitational and played in the first of two rounds on Monday morning. The event was played at the Par-72 course at the Stonebridge Golf Club in Rome, GA. The first grouping, Emory (C), shot a 294 (+6) on the day to sit in second place and 12 strokes off the leader, LaGrange College. The second team, Emory (B), finished their day shooting a 300 (+12) to finish the day tied for fifth on the leaderboard.
Highlighting the day for the Eagles' C-squad was senior Tarun Hoskere, shooting a 71 (-1) on the day. Hoskere started his day with a bogey on his first hole but was lights out from there on. The senior composed himself and shot two under par the rest of the way, compiling 13 pars and three birdies on the day. He now sits tied for sixth on the individual leaderboard heading into day two, just two strokes off the leader.
Freshman Brady Lagendyk saw his first collegiate action on Monday and made the most of his opportunity. In his debut, the freshman shot a 73 (+1) to contribute to the C-squad's score. Lagendyk shot one over par on his first nine holes before staying even on his final nine holes of the day. He finished his day with four birdies and tied for 14th on the leaderboard.
Junior Prayaag Oruganti, who won the Chick-fil-A Invitational last year, also had a solid round to contribute to the C-squad's score to put them in second place overall. Oruganti shot a 74 (+2) while recording four birdies on the day. The defending champion sits tied for 21st and five strokes off the leader heading into day two.
Rounding out the C-squad's scores were freshman Dustin Miller, who shot a 76 (+4), and sophomore Parker Shimp shooting an 82 (+10). Miller is tied for 32nd and Shimp is tied for 85th.
Leading the way for the B-squad was junior Nicholas Nautiyal, shooting a 73 (+1) on day one. Nautiyal was even on his first nine holes. The junior had himself at one under par heading into his final hole before logging a double bogey on a 538-yard Par 5. Nautiyal recorded four birdies and will head into the second day tied for 14th on the leaderboard, four strokes off the lead.
Close behind for the B-squad was sophomore Brian Hanson and junior Josh Qian, who each shot a 74 (+2). Hanson was incredible on his first nine holes, shooting four under par with four birdies and five pars. Hanson found trouble towards the end of his round, though, tallying three double bogeys on his last four holes to drop him down the leaderboard. Qian had a very consistent day, picking up 15 pars. The two will enter day two tied for 21st and five strokes off the lead.
Rounding out the scores for the B-squad were seniors Logan Lowery and Michael Rosenbloom. Lowery finished his day shooting a 79 (+7), heading into day two tied for 57th on the leaderboard. Rosenbloom turned in an 80 (+8) to head into the final round tied for 67th place.
The second and final round of the Chick-fil-A Invitational will be a shotgun start, with all golfers teeing off at 9:00 AM.