The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
Conference USA Championship
UAB Leads Field After First Round Of C-USA Championship
4/26/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Golf
First Round Results 
TEXARKANA, Ark. -- Four players finished the first round under par to propel the UAB men's golf team into the lead after the first round of the 2015 Conference USA Championship at the Texarkana Country Club. The Blazers shot a 12-under 276 on Sunday to hold a two-shot lead.
"Happy with how the guys played in the first round," head coach Alan Murray said. "You can't win it in the first round but you can dig yourself a hole as we experienced in a few tournaments this year so glad to get off to a good start."
UAB has a two-stroke lead over North Texas, who finished the first round 10-under (278), and a seven-shot lead over third-place Charlotte (283). Southern Miss (-3), Middle Tennessee (-1) and UTEP (-1) are the only other teams under par through the opening 18 holes.
The 276 score in the first round is the best for the Blazers in the opening round of the C-USA Championship. The previous best of 283 also came at the Texarkana Country Club when UAB last won the C-USA title in 2008.
All five players in the lineup finish at or under par in the first round and four of the five currently rank in the top 10 individually. Freshman Lee Hodges matched his career-best round with a 5-under 67 to lead UAB. Hodges sank six birdies, including three in a row on the final three holes, to sit in second place and just two strokes behind leader Jason Roets of North Texas (-7).
"The guys played well, Lee (Hodges) was really impressive today with a 5-under," Murray stated. "Then, Will (Cannon) shot 3-under for another great score. Paul (Dunne) and Taylor (Eyster) were both 2-under and Martin (Rohwer) was even. If you are throwing out an even par that is usually a good sign."
Junior Will Cannon had a strong second nine after finishing even in the first nine holes. The Hoover, Ala. Native record birdies on holes 10, 13, 15 and 17 with just one bogey for the round. He carded a 3-under 69 and is tied for fourth.
Senior Paul Dunne and freshman Taylor Eyster each shot a 2-under 70 in the first round. Dunne opened with four birdies on the front nine and was 4-under through 12, before two bogeys to close the round and sit in a tie for sixth. Eyster picked up six birdies with four bogeys to also be tied for sixth.
Junior Martin Rohwer recorded an even-par 72 with four birdies and four bogeys. Rohwer made birdie on the 17th to get back to even par and is tied for 18th individually.
"We are in good position after the first round so we just need to come out and do the same thing tomorrow," Murray remarked. "We may even left a few shots out there today, but overall very happy with the 12-under par as a team."
UAB will remain with North Texas and Charlotte for the second round. The Blazers are set to start at 9:20 a.m. CT off the first tee with the final player going at 10 a.m. CT.
For the latest news on Blazer sports, follow the UAB Athletics Twitter account: @UABathletics. For men's golf news, follow @UAB_MensGolf.
