CHOUDRANT – Louisiana Tech golf tied for sixth overall with an even par team total of 288 after the opening round of the Jim Rivers Intercollegiate on Sunday.
 
Senior Sam Murphy led the way for the Bulldogs after finishing the first round two under par with a score of 70 to finish tied for sixth.
 
"I played good and hit it well, but the putts really just didn't fall," Murphy said. "But, I'm saving it for tomorrow. That's what I always like to say. You take the positives and build off of that, learn from your mistakes and go out and shoot a number tomorrow."
 
Murphy birdied on four holes to finish both the front and back nine at -1 (35).
 
 "It's been a while since most of us competed in a tournament," Murphy said. "We started off a little shaky, but the way we play around this place, we're definitely looking forward to tomorrow. We're in good shape. Everybody's swinging it well. We just have to settle down and go play well."
 
Junior James Swash and sophomore Lake Juban each finished with an even par total of 72 to tie for 16^th overall. 
 
Texas State finished first in the opening round with a combined -6 (282). Little Rock (-5, 283), No. 44 UAB (-4, 284), South Alabama (-2, 286) and Western Kentucky (-1, 287) rounded out the top five.
 
After tying for sixth overall as a team on day one, LA Tech will tee off at 9:48 a.m. (CT) in round two of the Jim Rivers Intercollegiate on Monday. Admission is free to all rounds throughout the tournament, and those in attendance must wear a mask during the event. Fans can also follow up-to-date scoring through live results at Golfstat.com. 
 
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