May 18, 2006
ORLANDO - Senior Sonny Nimkhum shot a 3-over 75 in the opening round of the NCAA East Regional at Lake Nona Golf and Country Club Thursday. Competing as an individual, Nimkhum made five bogeys and two birdies during the round and is tied for 53rd in the individual standings.
"I didn't roll the ball very well on the greens today," Nimkhum said. "I couldn't find my stroke or the correct distance to make anything happen. I'm still in a position to make a move, though. I'm looking forward to tomorrow's round."
Starting on the back side, Nimkhum opened with a bogey on the 10th hole and also made a bogey on the 16th hole to make the turn at 2-over. He then made a bogey on the first hole to drop to 3-over. Back-to-back birdies on holes four and five moved him to 1-over, but bogeys on seven and eight returned him to 3-over.
Defending national champion Georgia leads the East Regional after firing a 4-under 284 in windy conditions. Wake Forest is one stroke behind in second, while UNLV is in third at 1-under. North Carolina's Jonathan Jackson carded the low round of the day with a 6-under 66 and leads the race for medalist honors by one shot over Georgia's Brendon Todd.
There are 27 teams and six individuals competing in the tournament. The top 10 teams and top two individuals from the remainder of the field will advance to the NCAA Championship at the Crosswater Club in Sunriver, Ore. May 31-June 3.