Lake City, Minn. - The Missouri Southern Men's Golf team sits in ninth place after the opening round of the JR Watkins Invitational hosted by Winona State University at The Jewel Golf Club.

Senior Taylor Lansford led the Southern in the opening round with a 2-over 74 and shares 12th place, just three strokes out of third place. Fellow senior Cameron Hamilton carded an opening round of 4-over 76 for a share of 28th and junior Connor Neil came in at 5-over 77. Sophomore Tripper Jensen carded a first round 78 and freshman Chase Rogers, making his Missouri Southern team debut, shot an 81 in his first round.

Host Winona State holds both first and second place with their "A" team shooting a 3-over 291 and the "B" team just three strokes back at 6-over 294. Augustana (S.D.) finished the opening round in third place with a 10-over 298, Southwest Baptist came in fourth in the opening round with a 12-over 300, and rounding out the top five was Bemidji State with a 14-over 302.

Missouri Western and Minot State are tied for sixth place with a 15-over 303 followed by University of Manitoba at 16-over 304. The Lions come in at ninth with a 17-over 305 followed by Concordia-St. Paul one stroke back at 18-over 306 and tied for 11th was St. Cloud State and Minnesota State Mankato at 22-over 310. Sioux Falls finished the opening round in 13th with a 313, Upper Iowa followed the Cougars with a 318, University of Manitoba "B" Team finished with a 320 and University of Minnesota Crookston rounded out hte 16 team field with a 327.

The final round of the JR Watkins Invitational will begin Tuesday morning with a shotgun start at 10 a.m.