March 30, 2012
TOWSON, Md. - Junior Anthony DeGol (Hollidaysburg, Pa.) posted a career-best, 4-under-par 68 in the first round of play to lead the Nittany Lions into a tie for third place at the conclusion of the first round at the Fireline Towson Invitational at the 6,659-yard, par-72 Prospect Bay Country Club, Friday.
DeGol made four birdies as he ousted his previous career best of 70 by two strokes. He is currently tied for the first place position on the individual leader board. DeGol shares the position with Fairfield's Scott Rainaud.
Senior Tommy McDonagh (East Norwalk, Conn.) fell five strokes behind DeGol with his score of 73. McDonagh is tied for 17th. Sophomore Shane Stewart (Dublin, Ohio) recorded three birdies and five bogeys in his 4-over-par 76 showing, placing him tied for 47th. Rounding out the Penn State lineup, junior Jay Woodward (Bridgeport, W.Va.) and freshman Xander McDonald-Smith (Rockaway Park, N.Y.) shot rounds of 77 to tie for 64th.
Individual competitor Jens Talbert (Little Rock, Ark.) notched three birdies and four bogeys in his round of 77 to tie with teammates Woodward and McDonald-Smith.
Penn State sits just six strokes back from first-place Northern Colorado. The bears posted an even-par 288 in the first round.
Play will resume Saturday with tee times beginning at 8:00 a.m. For live scoring, please visit Golfstat.