By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information

KENNESAW, Ga. – Once again, the Tennessee Tech men's golf team put itself in position for a top-three finish after the opening day of play at the Pinetree Intercollegiate, competing at Pinetree Country Club in Kennesaw, Ga.

The purple and gold concluded the first two rounds fourth in the field of 11, racking up scores of 296 and 293 for a 589. Mercer led the event after producing a 5-under 571, finishing 11 strokes ahead of second place Francis Marion. Leading the tournament individually was Carlos Garre from Francis Marion, posting a 138.

Continuing his torrid start to the fall, Jackson Skeen paced the Golden Eagle effort on day one by tying for third overall among 63 golfers with a 3-under 141. The sophomore kicked off the day with a 1-under 71, piling up four birdies and an eagle on the par-5 second hole. He knocked out six more birdies in the second round, carding a 2-under 70.

Not far behind, rookie Haden Maxwell tied for ninth behind rounds of 74 and 71. The freshman picked up a pair of birdies in round one before ripping off five more over the final 10 holes of round two for a 145 total. 

Tying for 23rd overall, fellow freshman Anders Larson turned in four birdies to open the day, sporting a 2-over 74. He followed it up with one more and 13 pars on his way to a 75 and 149 overall total.

Senior Chance Taylor delivered two birdies and an eagle on the par-5 seventh for an opening round of 77. His 79 and five more birdies tied him for 46th with a 156. Junior Sean Anderson finished with and 83 and 77 for a 160, ranking in a tie for 56th with five total birdies.

Round three of the Pinetree Intercollegiate is slated for an 8:00 a.m. CT with split tee times on the first and 10th holes Tuesday morning.

File photo by Emily Armstrong