JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Florida men’s golfers Josh Bai and Parker Bell share the individual lead as the No. 5 Gators are in second-place at the Sea Best Invitational on Monday. Due to weather this morning, tournament has been altered to 36-holes with the final 18-holes scheduled tomorrow at 10 a.m.
After owning a mark of +3 through the first few holes, the Gators climbed up the leaderboard, finishing 4-under the rest of the round for a team round of 283 (-1). Florida sits three shots behind team leader UNC-Wilmington (-3).
Out of ten Gators competing, four shot under par rounds at Atlantic Beach Country Club led by Bai and Bell with a 68 (-3). The UF duo is tied with a pair of Seahawks in Ethan Boyette and Preston Worch. The round was a season and career-low for Bai as he made six birdies, tied for tournament-leading. Bell also made six birdies to help erase a +2 start through six holes. Both Bai and Bell look to capture their first collegiate tile and seek to become the seventh Florida golfer to win the event.
Jack Turner carded the low round for the lineup with a 69 (-2) and is tied for 5th. Finishing a shot back of him was Matthew Kress with a 70 (-1) to sit T9 as he made two birdies and only one bogey. They were two of 18 total golfers today to shoot under par.
The next two counting scores among the starting five was Luke Poulter and Zack Swanwick with a 72s (+1) and currently tied for 27th. The non-counter was from sophomore Parker Sands at 75 (+4).
Freshman Parker Severs began his round with a birdie en route to an even-par 71 to place T18 as the other individuals competing for the Orange and Blue featured Noah Kent and Trevor Gutschewski, who each shot a 71 (+1).
Florida Scores:
T1. Josh Bai* (-3)
T1. Parker Bell* (-3)
T5. Jack Turner (-2)
T9. Matthew Kress (-1)
T18. Parker Severs* (E)
T27. Luke Poulter (+1)
T27. Zack Swanwick (+1)
T27. Trevor Gutschewski* (+1)
T27. Noah Kent* (+1)
T51. Parker Sands (+4)
*Competing as individuals
Team Scores
1. UNC-Wilmington (-4)
2. Florida (-1)
3. FGCU (E)
T4. Texas A&M (+1)
T4. Lipscomb (+1)
6. UCF (+4)
T7. Louisiana Tech (+5)
T7. Liberty (+5)
9. Kennesaw State (+7)
10. North Alabama (+12)
T11. North Florida (+17)
T11. FAU (+17)
13. Jacksonville (+19)
14. USC-Upstate (+27)