Tombs wins Rhode Island Invitational title, Bulldogs finish second in team standings

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Senior Ryan Tombs (Bedford, N.H.) won the second outright individual title of his Bryant career Tuesday, solidifying his victory with a one-under par third round at the Rhode Island Invitational at Quidnesset Country Club.

Tombs finished the tournament with a one-under 215 (72-72-71) to lead the Bulldogs, who finished second to host URI in the team standings. As it did in round one, Bryant shot the best lap of the day Tuesday (293), but couldn't overcome an 11-stroke Rams lead entering third-round action. URI carded a two-day 876 to Bryant's 884.

Tombs was the only player in the field of 78 to finish the tournament under par. His victory marks the second-straight individual title for a member of the Bulldog team, after rookie Will Del Biaggio (San Jose, Calif.) won the VGA/UConn Collegiate Invitational Sunday.

Fellow senior John Roberts (West Hartford, Conn.) rose nine places with a Tuesday 72 to finish tied for 16th overall (223), with Del Biaggio finishing tied for 23rd (226). Sophomore Ryan Brown (Bedford, N.H.) struggled Tuesday after a stellar two-round performance Monday, carding an 82 to fall into a tie for 25th.

Senior McKinley Slade (Saunderstown, R.I.) rebounded with a third-round 75, his best of the tournament, to jump into a tie for 34th.

Rookie Connor Henderson (Southborough, Mass.) led three Bulldogs playing as individuals but dipped from 15th into a tie for 30th (230) Tuesday. Classmate Andrew Warfield (Southborough, Mass.) fell to 38th with a three-round 233, while senior Hayden Maroun (Moultonborough, N.H.) finished 73rd (247).

Tombs's only previous individual title came earlier this year, when he took first at the season-opening Ryan Lee Memorial Tournament hosted by CCSU Sept. 10-11.

The Bulldogs will now take a nine-day break from competition to prepare for the Northeast Conference Championship April 28-30 in Daytona Beach, Fla.