Bulldogs second after Day 1 debut

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – In its 2014 debut, the Bryant University golf team is off to a good start, sitting in second place at the five-team Rhody Fall Invitational after the first two rounds.

After a first-round 302, the Bulldogs improved their game by four strokes in the second go around for a Day 1 score of 600 at the Newport National Golf Club in Middletown, R.I. Bryant enters Tuesday's final round six strokes off leader and host URI.

Junior Kyle Buschmann (East Haddam, Conn.) paces the Black and Gold and currently sits second overall in the individual standings with a two-round score of 146 (74-72), carding the top score of the day with a 72 in the second round. Sophomore Ryan Tombs (Bedford, N.H.) is just one place and one stroke behind his teammate entering the final day of action, ranking third in the 29-golfer field with a three-over 147 (73-74).

Junior Joe Walp (Portland, Maine) gives the Bulldogs three players inside the top-5 with a Day 1 150 (76-74), while sophomore McKinley Slade (Saunderstown, R.I.) sits tied for 16th overall (79-78=157). Senior Conor McGovern (Darien, Conn.) is knotted in the 21st spot with a pair of 79s (158).

URI's two-round 594 is paced by individual leader Joseph Leavitt (73-72=145). Fordham University sits in third overall with a two-round score of 621, while UMass Lowell is two strokes behind in fourth. Holy Cross ranks fifth as a team with a Monday score of 627.

The Bulldogs return to action for the final round of the Rhody Fall Invitational Tuesday.