Tombs, Brown lead Bulldogs to second-place ranking after first two rounds at Rhode Island Invitational

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Led by top-10 seedings from senior Ryan Tombs (Bedford, N.H.) and sophomore Ryan Brown (Bedford, N.H.), the Bryant University golf team sits second in the 14-team field after two rounds at the Rhode Island Invitational Monday.

Competing in their home state for the first time this spring, the Bulldogs posted the top score in round one but saw host Rhode Island card a second-round 282 to surge out in front. The Rams lead the field with a two-round 580, with Bryant 11 strokes behind.

Tombs sits tied for third after identical rounds of even-par 72, with Brown one stroke back and tied for sixth. Rookie Will Del Biaggio (San Jose, Calif.), coming off his VGA/UConn Collegiate Invitational win, sits tied for 25th with teammate John Roberts (West Hartford, Conn.), with the pair carding 151s in Monday action.

Senior McKinley Slade (Saunderstown, R.I.) will look to make up some ground in Tuesday's final round after combining for a 156 (76-80) and tying for 52nd.

Three more Bulldogs played as individuals, with rookie Connor Henderson (Southborough, Mass.) leading the way after a two-round 148 (75-73) to tie for 15th on the individual circuit. Freshman Andrew Warfield (Southborough, Mass.) is tied with Del Biaggio and Roberts in 25th, while Hayden Maroun (Moultonborough, N.H.) hit a pair of 81s to rank 71st in the 78-golfer field.

The Bulldogs return to Quidnesset Country Club in North Kingstown, R.I., Tuesday for an 8 a.m. shotgun start to wrap up the Rhode Island Invitational.