Vestavia Hills, Ala. - Walk-on freshman Tyler Gruca led the Georgia State men's golf team with a second round 70 on the first day of the Jerry Pate National Intercollegiate at Old Overton Country Club. The Panthers stand in 12th place heading into Tuesday's final round of play.
Gruca opened with a first round 8-over 78, but rebounded in the afternoon with an even par round in the second round. Gruca stands tied for 35th with 18 holes to play on the par 70, 6936-yard course. His second round included four birdies and an eagle.
Senior Alex Castro, made his season debut, fired rounds of 76 and 74 and stands tied for 40th after the first day of play.
Senior Brent Paul and freshman Victor Lavin, who is making his collegiate debut, each shot rounds of 76 and 75 to stand tied for 44th. Paul's highlight came with an eagle-two on the drive-able par four 15th hole in the first round.
Senior Alan Fowler rounded out the squad and is tied for 48th after a pair of 76's.
No. 1 Florida leads the field by two strokes after 36 holes. The Gators are 6-under par and lead No. 23 Auburn, which led the tournament after the first round of play. Host Alabama, ranked sixth in the country and winners of the last four Jerry Pate National Intercollegiates, stand at 1-under par. South Alabama and UNLV are tied for fourth at 12-over par.
Auburn's Nichlas Carlsson owns the individual lead after rounds of 64 and 68 to stand at 8-under par. Alabama's Bobby Wyatt stands in second at 7-under, followed by Florida's Tyler McCumber at 5-under. Florida's Bank Vongvanij, who entered the tournament ranked first in the country, stands in fourth at 3-under par, followed by teammate Blake Biddle in fifth at 2-under.
The history of winners at the Jerry Pate National Intercollegiate is a 'who's who' of golf. Tiger Woods won the in 1994 while playing at Stanford. Other winners include Nolan Henke, David Toms, Rory Sabbantini, Bryce Molder, D.J. Trahan, and Hunter Mahan.
The 12-team field will play the final 18 holes on Tuesday.Live stats are available via GolfStat.com.
Team Results
1. Florida 278-276-554
2. Auburn 275-281-556
3. Alabama 281-278-559
T4. South Alabama 287-285-572
T4. UNLV 279-293-572
6. Mississippi State 296-286-582
7. Memphis 299-284-583
8. UAB 289-297-586
9. SMU 296-294-590
10. Southern Miss 296-299-595
11. Samford 298-298-596
12. Georgia State 303-295-598
Individual Results
T35. Tyler Gruca 78-70-148
T40. Alex Castro 76-74-150
T44. Brent Paul 75-76-151
T44. Victor Lavin 76-75-151
T48. Alan Fowler 76-76-152
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