Bolivar, Mo. - The Missouri Southern Golf Team battled through tough conditions and tough hole placement in day one competition at the SBU Invitational at the par 72 Silo Ridge Country Club course.

Freshman Tristan Haltom led the Lions in round one with a five-over 77 for a share of 19th place. Junior Taylor Lansford finished the first day with a 78 (+6) for a share of 26th and fellow junior Cameron Hamilton finished one stroke back at 79 (+7) in a tie for 36th. Senior Ethan Hutcheson carded a first round 82 while sophomore Connor Neil finished with an 85. Junior Phillip Roller, playing as an individual, finished with a first round 82 as well.

Southwestern Oklahoma leads the 16 team field with a first round of 300, Central Missouri is the first MIAA team in the standings and second overall with a 302. Washburn (304), Central Oklahoma (307), and Lindenwood (312) round out the top five teams. Northeastern State sits in sixth with a 313 followed by the host Bearcats and Lincoln tied for seventh with 314. Nebraska-Kearney sits in ninth with 315, and one stroke back in 10th are the Lions (316). Central Missouri "B" team is 11th with a 318 followed by Missouri Western and Minnesota State-Mankato in a tie for 12th at 320. NAIA's Evangel is in 14th with a first round of 328, then Fort Hays State with a 329, and Upper Iowa rounds out the 16 team field with a first round score of 330.

Travis Mays (Central Missouri), Ron McHenry (Washburn), and Corey Knight (Missouri Western) all share the lead with a first round 1-over 73.

Tee time for the final round of the SBU Invitational is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. weather permitting.