ST. GEORGE, Utah -- After the first day of competition at Sunbrook Golf Club in St. George, the Thunderbird men's golf team sits in a tie for third with Utah State at the Pizza Hut-Pat Hicks Invitational.

"Overall we had a good first day of competition," SUU head coach Richard Church said. "Hopefully we can carry that into tomorrow and give ourselves a shot to win the tournament."

Jake Vincent was the top player in the field for the Thunderbirds, shooting a two-under 70 to put himself in a tie for third place.

Ali Hameed was second for SUU, shooting a 72 and sitting in a tie for 14th with 18 holes to play. Ethan Gray finished the day in a tie for 28th, shooting a 75 and sitting third for the T-Birds.

Hayden Plewe was the final score for the Thunderbirds that counted, carding a 76 and finishing in a tie for 32nd.

Ryker Smith rounded out SUU's team lineup, shooting a 78 and finishing the day in a tie for 41st.

As a team the Thunderbirds shot 293, putting them in a tie with Utah State.

Playing as individuals, Jaden Milne shot 76, Austin Jaramillo shot 78, Bradley Collet shot 80 and Humza Hameed shot 85.

After one round the defending Big Sky Champions Northern Colorado leads the field with a 282. They're closely followed by Middle Tennessee State, who shot a 284 as a team.

Joshua Matz from Northern Colorado is the top player in the field after 18 holes, shooting a four-under 68.

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