The first round of NCAA Regional play has South Carolina just a shot behind Oklahoma in the Norman Regional and the Tigers are fourth behind the #1 team in the country, Oklahoma State in the Columbus Regional.

The top five teams and two individuals from the six regionals will advance to the NCAA Finals at the Grayhawk Golf Club in Arizona starting on May 27th.

Gamecocks second in Norman Regional

Gamecock freshman Gene Zeigler is tied for the first round lead in Norman. Zeigler shot a 6-under par 66 to tie J.M. Butler from Auburn for the individual lead.

The 2019 SCGA Junior Player of the year from Florence’s round included five-birdies and an eagle.

“Gene played some great golf and it’s nice seeing his recent hard work paying off,” said USC golf coach Bill McDonald.

The Gamecocks counted Ryan Hall and Evans Lewis’ 70s along with freshman Nathan Franks 72 for a 10-under par 278 total.

South Carolina’s fifth player, Rafe Reynolds, carded a solid 1-over par 73 which would have counted most days.

“It was a nice team effort today and I’m really proud of how the guys came out ready and prepared for the round,” said McDonald.

The Gamecocks have a two shot lead over Auburn and Utah with Texas holding the fifth spot after the first day.

Norman Regional Scores https://results.golfstat.com//public/leaderboards/gsnav.cfm?pg=team&tid=25462

Clemson fourth in Columbus Regional

The Tigers shot an opening round score of 5-over par 289 to be in the fourth spot after the first round on the famous Scarlett Course at Ohio State.

Freshman Kian Rose turned in the best score for the Tigers posting an even par round of 71 to finish the first day in a tie for eighth place.

Rose didn’t start his round looking like a golfer who would finish at even par. He doubled his first hole and was five-over par after his first five holes.

“I made about a 10-footer for par on 17, then made a 25 footer for birdie on the 18 th hole (his ninth) and that got me back in the right direction, ” said the Clemson freshman from South Africa.

Rose went 3-under on his final nine holes to get to even par by the end of the day.

ACC Champion Jacob Bridgman also had a rough start to his round making bogeys on his first two holes and turning at 3-over par.

Bridgeman put three birdies on his back-nine card and finished at 1-over par in a tie for 14th.

Clemson counted a 72 from Kyle Cottam and a 74 from Zach Gordon to add up to their 289 total.

“I am very proud of this team,” said Head Coach Jordan Byrd. “We were eight over par as a team through just two holes, but we hung in there and straightened things out, The back nine was our first nine holes and that is definitely the tougher side, especial this morning when the wind was blowing harder,” he added.

Top seeded Oklahoma State leads the Region after the first day with a four-under par 280 total.

Clemson trails second place East Tennessee State by three-shots for second and is one behind San Francisco for third place.

Ohio Sate, Duke and Georgia Tech are one-shot behind Clemson going into the second round on Tuesday.

Columbus Regional Scores https://results.golfstat.com//public/leaderboards/gsnav.cfm?pg=team&tid=25461

Phillips tied for third at Bryan Regional

Georgia’s Trent Phillips, from Inman, shot an opening round 4-under par 68 to end the first day tied for third place.

The four-time First Team All-SEC golfer trails Chase Sienkiewicz from Arizona by three shots and is tied with three other golfers for third.

Georgia is fourth behind Arizona, Pepperdine and Texas A&M going into the second round at the Traditions Golf Club.

Bryan Regional Scores https://results.golfstat.com/public/leaderboards/gsnav.cfm?pg=player&tid=25460

Palm Beach Regional

Vanderbilt has a 5-shot lead over South Florida after the first round at the PGA National Champions Course.

Nick Lyerly of UNC Greensboro is the individual leader after carding a 5-under par 67.

The College of Charleston is fifth after shooting an opening round 6-over par 294. The Cougars are tide with Florida for the last spot to advance to the NCAA Finals.

Charleston Southern shot a 16-over par first round and is 11th.

Gardner-Webb’s Big South individual champion Zack Byers shot an even par round to be tied for 10.

Furman’s Ross Funderburke posted a 3-over par 75 to be tied for 33rd at the same Regional.

Palm Beach Regional Scores https://results.golfstat.com/public/leaderboards/gsnav.cfm?pg=team&tid=25466