October 22, 2006
Martin Piller fired a two-under-par 70 on Sunday to lead No. 9-ranked Texas A&M into a tie for 13th after the first round of the Isleworth Collegiate Invitational at Isleworth Country Club. The tournament continues through Tuesday.
Piller is tied for second in the individual standings, just one stroke behind leader Toby Ragland of Florida, who carded a 69.
No. 3 Georgia posted a three-over 291 to take a one-shot lead over South Carolina (292) in the team standings. No. 22 Tennessee is in third (293), followed by Texas (294), top-ranked Oklahoma State (294), No. 2 Florida (294), Arizona (295), No. 11 Duke (296), No. 14 North Carolina (296), No. 5 Clemson (297), Florida State (297), No. 17 Georgia State (297), A&M (298), No. 8 Georgia Tech (298), Texas Tech (300), No. 23 Kentucky (300), No. 19 Wake Forest (307) and host Central Florida (318).
A&M's Trey Todd is tied for 19th after carding a one-over 73, freshman John Hurley is tied for 55th after a 77, and Matt Van Zandt and Robert Gates are tied for 69th at 78.
The Aggies had not posted more than a double-bogey on a hole in four previous events this fall, but had three triple bogeys on Sunday.
"We didn't play our best golf but we are still in good position with two rounds left," A&M Coach J.T. Higgins said. "The triple bogeys hurt us and we also doubled an easy par-5, but we learned a lot about the course and hopefully that will help us the rest of the way. Martin Piller is playing fantastic right now and has a lot of confidence."
A&M is playing without Bronson Burgoon, who is preparing for the first-stage of the PGA Tour Qualifying School, which begins on Tuesday at Cypresswood Golf Club in Spring, Texas. Burgoon is competing as an amateur so he can retain his college eligibility should he not earn his tour card.