Bulldogs in first after day one of Rhode Island Invitational

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Four Bryant University golfers finished inside the top-five and the team carded the top overall score with a two-under 574 over the first two rounds of the Rhode Island Invitational in North Kingstown on Monday.

The Bulldogs were the only team to finish at or under par on day one of the tournament and currently hold a 15-stroke lead heading into Tuesday. Junior Ryan Tombs (Bedford, N.H.) and senior Joe Walp (Portland, Maine) sit two and three, respectively, with first day scores of 141 (-3) and 142 (-2). The reigning NEC Golfer of the Month, junior McKinley Slade (Saunderstown, R.I.), is situated in fifth following his opening day 145 (+1) and is tied for fifth. Slade jumped up 27 spots in round two after he carded an opening round 76 and found himself in 32nd place.

Junior John Roberts (West Hartford, Conn.) is not competing with the team, but he finished the first day of his individual outing the same way that Slade did, with an opening round of 76 and a second round of 69 to score a one-over par. Senior Kyle Buschmann (East Haddam, Conn.) was tied for second with opening-round two-under 70, but he shot an 80 in round two and finds himself tied for 25th (+6) heading into Tuesday.

The overall leader, Billy Walthouse of the University of Rhode Island, shot a combined seven-under par (137) and is five strokes ahead of Tombs. Both Saint Joseph's and St. John's sit tied for second with 13-over 589's. The host URI is tied for fifth with a 594 after the initial two rounds (+18).

For the complete tournament recap and updates on the second and final day of Rhode Island Invitational, please visit BryantBulldogs.com.