ORLANDO (UCFKnights.com) - The UCF men's golf team holds a one-stroke lead atop the leaderboard at the FAU Slomin Autism Invitational after one round. The Knights compiled a score of 289 (+1) Friday, sitting just in front of Jacksonville State (+2) and Georgetown (+3).
Junior Manuel Elvira led the way for the Knights - and he leads the tournament, which is being played at PGA National on The Squire Course.
Elvira was 4-under for the day, carding a 68. He was one of just three golfers to finish below 70 in the first round and he was one of just seven to play under par on day one. He carded a bogey on his second hole of the day, after teeing off on the sixth hole. But he rebounded with a birdie on the Par 4 ninth hole. Elvira then strung together three straight birdies to move to 3-under. A double bogey on No. 16 and a bogey on No. 17 left him at even par through 13 holes.
But Elvira rebounded quickly. On the Par 5 first hole, he carded an eagle. That momentum buoyed Elvira through the final four holes of his round. He finished with a pair of birdies to move back to -4 and take the first-round lead.
UCF junior Juuso Kahlos played well in the first round, as well. He carded an even-par 72 with to birdies, an eagle, two bogeys and a double bogey. Kahlos is tied for eighth after the first day of action.
Freshman Bobby Bai is +2 after the first 18 holes and is tied for 17th. Senior Ryan Stovash rounded out the team scoring for the Knights on Friday. He is 3-over and tied for 25th after turning in a 75.
Sophomore Kyler Tate rounded out the Knights' team lineup. He is tied for 33rd at +4. Senior George Williams is taking part in the tournament as an individual. He is currently tied for 54th at +7.
Saturday's second begins at 8:30 a.m. Follow along with live scoring by clicking the link in the box at the top of this story.