Brantley Baker shot a 5-under 67, and Georgia Southern men's golf carded a 9-under 279 in the first round of the NCAA Salem Regional Monday at the Cliffs at Keowee Falls.
The Eagles (-9) are in sixth, one shot behind Georgia Tech (-10) in fifth. The top five teams and the top individual not on those teams will advance to the NCAA Finals, which will be played May 26-31 at Grayhawk Golf Club in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Arkansas' (-22) four counters shot in the 60s, and the Razorbacks were led by a pair of 65s from Segundo Pinto and Wil Gibson to move into first, six shots ahead of New Mexico (-16). Second-ranked North Carolina (-15) is in third, and Northern Illinois (-13) is in fourth.
Ryan Burnett (-9) of North Carolina posted a 63 and is the individual leader, a stroke ahead of Longwood's Scott Jordan (-8).
Sparked by shooting a 31 on the back 9, Wilson Andress finished with a 69, while Mason Williams posted a 71. Parker Claxton was the final Eagle counter with an even-par 72.
The Eagles began the day on the back 9, and Baker rolled in four birdies on the side, including three in a row on 16, 17 and 18. The sophomore added a birdie on 2 and made a down-hill putt for birdie on the 605-yard, par-5 9th hole to finish his round.
Andress made five birdies on the back, including a stretch of four out of five holes. Williams' shot 3-under on the back, keyed by an eagle on the 546-yard, par-5 18th.
Scores
Team – 279 (-9), 6
Brantley Baker – 67 (-5), T8
Wilson Andress – 69 (-3), T22
Mason Williams – 71 (-1), T33
Parker Claxton – 72 (E), T42
Ben Carr – 76 (+4), T65
Next Up
The Eagles are paired with Georgia Tech and Northern Illinois for today's second round and teed off the 10th hole at 8:30 a.m.
