Braves Lead After Opening Round Of Richard Rendleman Invitational

SALISBURY – Fueled by phenomenal performances from all five of its entries, 18th-ranked UNCP booked an opening-round score of 291 to pace the 18-team field at the Richard Rendleman Invitational at the par-71, 6,665-yard Country Club of Salisbury on Monday.

The Braves lead second-place Lincoln Memorial by four strokes heading into Tuesday's second and final round of the event. Pfeiffer and No. 21 Carson-Newman are tied for third on the team leaderboard after carding opening-round scores of 296, while Barton is fifth after registering a 298 in the first round.

Scott Lambert paced UNCP by carding an even-par 71 and is tied for fourth on the individual leaderboard, just two strokes behind Alex Weare of Queens who turned in a 2-under-par 69 on Monday. All-American Jonathan McCurry is tied for 11th despite shooting a 1-over-par 72, while Carson Lanier and Michael Mullmann are both tied for 15th after shooting 74s. All-American Jordan Walor is tied for 20th after posting a 75 in the first round.

The tournament will resume on Monday with tee times set to begin at 8 a.m. The Braves are the defending champions at the event after topping a 17-team field in March of last year.

Team Scores
1. No. 18 UNC Pembroke  291  +7
2. Lincoln Memorial  295  +11
T-3. Pfeiffer  296  +12
T-3. No. 21 Carson-Newman  296  +12
5. Barton  298  +14
6. Lenoir-Rhyne  300  +16
7. Queens (N.C.)  304  +20
8. King  305  +21
9. Belmont Abbey  306  +22
10. Wingate  307  +23
11. Catawba  310  +26
12. Catawba 'B'  314  +30
13. Anderson  315  +31
14. Limestone  315  +31
15. Bluefield State  317  +33
16. Erskine  318  +34
17. North Greenville  318  +34
18. Tusculum  319  +35

UNCP Scores
T-4. Scott Lambert  71  Even
T-11. Jonathan McCurry  72  +1
T-15. Carson Lanier  74  +3
T-15. Michael Mullmann  74  +3
T-20. Jordan Walor  75  +4