Chambana Sun

The University of Illinois men's golf team began play at the Fallen Oak Collegiate Invitational in Saucier, Mississippi, on Saturday, finishing the first round in seventh place with a score of 284 (-4). The Illini are currently ranked No. 18 in the NCAA Division I men's college golf rankings and No. 8 in the latest GCAA coaches poll.

Junior Max Herendeen led Illinois with a 69 (-3), placing him in the top ten individually after day one. Herendeen made four birdies and an eagle, offsetting three bogeys during his round. He posted three birdies and an eagle on Par 5 holes, giving him the best scoring average on those holes in the field by half a stroke (3.75 compared to 4.25) and a full stroke better than the field average (4.75). Herendeen is three shots behind LSU's Gunnlaugur Arni Sveinsson, who leads after round one at six under par.

Illinois trails tournament leader LSU by eleven shots and is two strokes behind fifth-place Arkansas with two rounds remaining. Ole Miss holds second place at ten under par, followed by Alabama at nine under and Georgia at seven under.

Other contributors for Illinois included junior Dane Huddleston, who shot a 71 (-1) to tie for twentieth place. Sophomores Freddie Turnell and Trey Marrion each recorded even-par rounds of 72, while senior Ryan Voois finished with a 73 (+1). Freshman Dujuan Snyman, playing as an individual competitor, also shot even-par 72.

Second-round play will continue Sunday morning with tee times starting at 9:30 a.m. CT from Holes 1 and 10. Illinois will be grouped with Arkansas and Tennessee for round two. Live scoring can be followed via Clippd Scoreboard.