The No. 13-ranked Emory golf team turned in a strong effort on the first day of action at its Spring Invitational, setting the stage for an exciting final round.   The 36-hole tourney is being played at the 6,510-yard, par-70 Smoke Rise Country Club in nearby Stone Mountain.

The Eagles are tied with No. 2-ranked Oglethorpe University and No. 8 Huntingdon College for first place in the 13-team field, with all three squads shooting 294.  Rhodes College stands fourth at 299 while Guilford College and Transylvania are deadlocked for fifth at 299.

Freshman Connor Yakubov paced the Emory pack with an even-par 70, his top effort performance of the campaign and tying for second out of 80 players. Fellow rookie Anthony Muscato checked in with a 71, tying for the No. 4 spot on the leader board.  Freshman Stefano Butti shot a 75 and sophomore Keenan Hickton rounded out the Eagles' scorers with a 78.  Freshman Noah Apter carded an 83 while senior Jonathan Gerrard (86) and Matt Csillag (87) competed as individuals.

Addison Lambeth of Huntingdon College fired the top round with a three-under par 67. Lambeth, Yakubov and Jonathan Gandia of Spalding University were the only players to post a score of par or better.

The final round of the Spring Invitational will be played on Monday with action slated to start at 8:30 am.