FORT MYERS, Fla. – Brett Moore turned in a five-under, round of 67 to start the Atlantic Sun Conference Men's Golf Championship Tuesday in Valdosta, Georgia, currently placing second heading into Wednesday's second round.
Moore went bogey-free Tuesday in his first-ever championship appearance. He produced 13 pars and five birdies at Kinderlou Forest Golf Course. Moore opened the morning with three consecutive pars and closed his round with five straight. The freshman birdied four times during his front-nine effort, including back-to-back on holes six and seven. His fifth birdie of the day occurred on the par-4 13th.
At five-under, Moore sits just three strokes back of the tournament leader. Central Arkansas' Noah Blaickner shot an eight-under, 64 to take the top spot on the leaderboard after day one.
The Eagles (-6) are perched in fifth place as a team and are well within reach of the leaders. FGCU is just one stroke back of a two-way tie for third between Jacksonville (-7) And North Alabama (-7), and three shots back of second-place Stetson (-9). Central Arkansas leads the 12-team championship field at an impressive 17-under.
Sebastian Gamboa and Nolan Harper are tied for 20th at one under. Both Eagles penciled in a 71 to begin the championship. Gamboa sank five birdies on the day, while Harper had three on the back nine. Gamboa knocked in three straight, making the turn on holes 9, 10 and 11. Harper, a freshman, also birdied the 11 and then the 12 for back-to-back red numbers.
The Eagles tee off Wednesday's second round, starting with Brody Stevenson at 8 a.m. on hole No. 1.
