Men's Golf | 10/16/2017 8:44:00 PM

First Day Results

BURLINGTON, N.C. – Eric Edwards certainly enjoys playing in his home state – and at the Alamance Country Club.

After earning his first collegiate victory at the Phoenix Invitational last year, the George Mason senior is in a tie for second heading into the third and final round of the tournament on Tuesday morning at Alamance Country Club. Edwards, a native of Salisbury, N.C., was the only golfer in the field to shoot two sub-70 rounds on Monday.

He sits at 5-under 137 (68-69) and just two strokes off leader Adrian Castagnola (-7) from Atlantic 10 rival George Washington. Edwards birdied six holes and worked around three bogeys in the opening round to shoot a 68 – his lowest round of the season and first time below 70 this year. He followed with five birdies, including two over the last four holes, in the second round for a 69.

Last fall, the two-time Atlantic 10 All-Conference selection shared medalist honors at the Phoenix Invitational after he shot 10-under over three rounds.

As a team, the Patriots are in seventh at 4-over 572 (286-286). They trail Gardner Webb by just a stroke and are just four strokes behind Appalachian State and George Washington, who are tied for fourth. Host Elon leads the tournament by nine strokes after shooting an impressive 10-under 558 (284-274) on their home course.

Aside from Edwards, senior Ellis Messian also had a solid opening day. The San Diego native had just one bogey over his first 28 holes. He shot even-par 71 the first round to tie for his lowest round of the year. He finished the day at 2-over 144 (71-73) and is tied for 30th.

Fellow senior Brock Kovach is just one stroke back of Messian in a tie for 34th after shooting a 3-over 145 (73-72). Sophomore Davis Soderberg is just behind Kovach in a tie for 42nd as he shot a 4-over 146 (74-72). Sophomore Jeff Wilson is tied for 72nd at 151 (75-76).

Seniors Trevor Tremps and Wonsuk Rhee competed as individuals. Tremps is tied for 60th at 7-over 149 (75-74). Rhee is 16-over 158 (79-79) and in 91st.

The third round will start with tee times at 8:45 a.m. on Tuesday.