Gamecock Men Seventh, Women Eighth After Day One at Blessings

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — South Carolina wrapped up play on day one of the Blessings Collegiate Invitational on Monday evening. The men are in seventh after an opening round 296 (+8), the women are in eighth after shooting 305 (+17).
 
The Gamecock men were even par through 15 holes, but lost eight shots from the counting scores on the tough finishing holes coming in. Super senior Caleb Proveaux is T-4^th as he paced Carolina with a 2-under 70 in the first round. He was tied for the lead several times throughout the day, with four birdies and just two bogeys on his scorecard. The Lexington, S.C., native, was one of just 13 players in the 70-man field to fire a red number in the first round.

“It was great to be back out competing again and I’m really proud of our guys fighting back after a tough start,” said head coach Bill McDonald. “We need a solid round tomorrow to get back in contention. Caleb (Proveaux) played really well today and carried us for sure.”

Junior Ryan Hall played solid with a 1-over 73, tying for the team lead with five birdies. He was 1-under but bogeyed his final two holes and sits T-19th. Sophomore Jack Wall recorded a 75 (+3). He had a solid day as well and was hurt only by a pair of double bogeys at the first and last hole. Super senior All-American Jamie Wilson was the final counting score with a 78 (+6). He struggled the opening nine with a 43 (+7) but fought back coming in with a 35 (-1) thanks to four birdies. Senior Jack Parrott also shot 78 (+6). He had a tough front nine like Wilson but was bogey free on the back nine with a birdie.
 
Senior Lois Kaye Go led the way for the women on Monday with her 74 (+2) – she’s T-12th. Go tallied a team high four birdies on the day. Freshman Paula Kirner made her Gamecocks debut on Monday firing a 74 (+6) – she’s T-24^th after 18 holes. Sophomore Mathilde Claisse notched two birdies on her way to a 5-over, 77, that has her T-31^st.
 
“Overall it was a long day and the team hung in there very well,” women’s head coach Kalen Anderson said. “We have two more days left, this course is challenging and the days are long. Dealing with a different pace of play after starting off firm and fast was challenging. Our back nine was tough for us today. It’s going to be a marathon this week. There’s a lot of birdies left out there for us. We need to get more control of our speed on the greens, but I think we’ll adapt the longer we’re out here. Decent start, not where we want to be but we’ll get out over the next two days and do better.”
 
Senior Pimnipa Panthong also made her Carolina debut today and finished with a 78 (+6). Sophomore Pauline Roussin-Bouchard Roussin-Bouchard sank of pair of birdies as she also shot 78 (+6). The duo is T-36^th with a handful of players.
 
The Gamecock women will go off the first tee on Tuesday at 10:59 a.m. ET. The Carolina men will tee off at 11:22 a.m. ET on hole 10 in the second round. Live coverage begins on the Golf Channel again on Tuesday at 3:30 p.m. ET.
 
2020 Blessings Collegiate Invitational Men’s Leaderboard
1. Tennessee – 280 (-8)
T2. Kentucky – 288 (E)
T2. Texas A&M – 288 (E)
T4. LSU – 291 (+3)
T4. Alabama  – 291 (+3)
6. Arkansas – 293 (+5)
7. South Carolina – 296 (+8)
8. Vanderbilt – 297 (+9)
9. Florida – 300 (+12)
10. Auburn – 303 (+15)  
T11. Ole Miss  – 304 (+16)
T11. Mississippi State – 304 (+16)  
13. Georgia – 305 (+17)  
14. Missouri – 311 (+23)
 
Gamecock Men’s Leaderboard
T4. Caleb Proveaux – 70 (-2)
T19. Ryan Hall – 73 (+1)  
T33. Jack Wall – 75 (+3)
T49. Jamie Wilson – 78 (+6)
T49. Jack Parrott – 78 (+6)
 
2020 Blessings Collegiate Invitational Women’s Leaderboard
1. Arkansas – 289 (+1)
2. LSU – 293 (+5)
3. Florida – 295 (+7)
T4. Georgia – 300 (+12)
T4. Auburn – 300 (+12)
6. Ole Miss – 302 (+14)
7. Tennessee – 304 (+16)
8. South Carolina – 305 (+17)
T9. Alabama – 307 (+19)
T9. Texas A&M – 307 (+19)
11. Vanderbilt – 314 (+26)
12. Kentucky – 316 (+28)
13. Mississippi State – 317 (+29)
14. Missouri – 330 (+42)
 
Gamecock Women’s Leaderboard
T11. Lois Kaye Go – 74 (+2)
T25. Paula Kirner – 76 (+4)
T31. Mathilde Claisse – 77 (+5)
T36. Pimnipa Panthong – 78 (+6)
T36. Pauline Roussin-Bouchard – 78 (+6)
 
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