NEED TO KNOW:
Piedmont Leader: T-11th; MATTHEW ARIZA (70) -2
As a Team: 8th of 19
Event Information: 19 teams; 97 golfers
The Course: Stonebridge Golf Club (Par 72 - 6,740 yards)

ROME, Ga. - The Piedmont University men's golf B Team delivered a strong showing on day one of the Chick-fil-A Invitational in Rome, Georgia Monday afternoon.

Led by junior MATTHEW ARIZA's 2-under 70, the Lions find themselves in eighth out of 19 teams competing on the leaderboard.

Firing a 9-over 297 team score, the Lions bested three USA South schools' varsity teams on the day.

Ariza's 2-under 70 included a team-best six birdies with four coming in a six-hole span from No. 14 through No. 18.
 

Ariza was supported by fellow junior MARIO PEREZCASSAR III, who carded a 1-over 73 with four birdies while another junior, CONNOR HIXSON, also delivered a 73 with three birdies a week after competing with the varsity team at the Golfweek Invitational.

Rounding out Piedmont's lineup were a pair of 81's from freshmen WYATT JONES and CONNOR LANE. Lane made an eagle two at the short par 4 16th and followed it with a birdie on 17 to go 3-under over that two-hole stretch.

Fellow newcomers CAMERON LUCAS (83) and RYAN COLWELL (94) competed in the event as individuals.

Up next, the 36-hole event will conclude with the final round, beginning tomorrow morning. 

Emory's B Team leads with 18 holes remaining after an 11-under team score in the first round. Ariza finds himself in a tie for 11th on the individual side as 10 players fired rounds in the 60's.

LIONS ON THE LEADERBOARD:

T11	MATTHEW ARIZA (1)	70	-2
T20	MARIO PEREZCASSAR III (2)	73	+1
T20	CONNOR HIXSON (3)	73	+1
T71	WYATT JONES (4)	81	+9
T71	CONNOR LANE (5)	81	+9

 

T85	CAMERON LUCAS (Piedmont University)	83	+11
T96	RYAN COLWELL (Piedmont University)	94	+22

STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
- Ariza's 2-under 70 marks his best round of the fall and is his second under par round as a Lion.

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