The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
Atlanta Intercollegiate
McDowell Leads After Day One of Atlanta Intercollegiate
5/9/2002 12:00:00 AM | Men's Golf
May 9, 2002
ATLANTA, Ga. - UAB All-American Graeme McDowell came one shot shy of his own course record Thursday to own the first-day lead at the talent-rich Atlanta Intercollegiate.
The junior linkster carded a 7-under par 65 Thursday morning and followed with a 69 in the afternoon to take the lead going into Friday's final round. McDowell, who is the tournament's two-time defending champion, shot his seventh sub-par round in nine outings at Eagles Landing Country Club.
The rest of the Blazer squad, though, struggled a bit as UAB stands seventh in the 13-team field after a 12-over par 588 team score. Senior Drew Jones had the next best day, coming back from a sluggish 77 in the morning to shoot a 1-over par 73 in the afternoon.
Jones, who is tied for 32nd individually, was followed by freshman Ryan Thomas. Thomas, who finished sixth at the Conference USA Tournament two weeks ago, recorded a pair of 76s to stand tied for 43rd, along with fellow-Blazer Craig Gordon. Gordon got around the layout with a first-round 74 but finished with a 78 in the afternoon.
Chad Goodwin rounded out the Blazer lineup posting an 84 in the morning and an 80 in the afternoon.
Auburn leads the field with a 1-under par 575 total. A total of eight nationally-ranked teams are part of the field.
McDowell, who has won five tournaments this year and was a finalist for the prestigious Ben Hogan Award, showed why Thursday. The Portrush, Northern Ireland product is leading heralded Florida sophomore Carmillo Villegas by seven shots.
McDowell is ranked No. 2 in the latest Golf Week rankings, while Villegas owns the top slot.
This week's tournament is serving as a tuneup for the Blazer squad. UAB will be back in Atlanta next week for the NCAA East Regionals.
