April 13, 2007
No. 10-ranked Texas A&M fired a six-under-par 282 on Friday and is tied for fifth place after the first round of the Arizona State Thunderbird Invitational at ASU's Karsten Golf Course. The tournament continues through Sunday.
Three A&M players -- Chris Massoletti, Martin Piller and Bronson Burgoon -- carded two-under-par 70s. Austin Schauer opened with an even-par 72 and Bobby Gates added a 73 for the Aggies. Oregon's Derek Sipe has the individual lead after a seven-under 65.
Sipe's effort led Oregon to the top of the team standings with an 11-under 277. No. 4 Southern California is in second (278), followed by Texas Tech (279), No. 18 Arizona State (281), A&M (282), Oklahoma (282), No. 6 UNLV (285), Arizona (287), California (287), Baylor (288), Kansas State (289), New Mexico (291), Central Florida (291), Fresno State (296), Arizona State "B" (297) and San Diego State (298).
"We played well but we had a chance for a really great round," A&M Coach J.T. Higgins said. "We can't keep giving away strokes like we have been as we head into the postseason. Still, I'm proud of our effort and we're in great position going into the second round."