OPELIKA, Ala. (2/24/19) – The 19th-ranked Arkansas State men's golf team opened its spring schedule Sunday at the Tiger Invitational, posting a first-round 283 that placed it atop the 16-team field featuring three top-10 nationally-ranked programs.

All five competing players for the Red Wolves ended the first day among the top-25 individual leaders, helping the squad post a 5-under total that left it 10 strokes ahead of second-place Auburn and 12 ahead of SMU, which stands third.  Auburn and SMU are ranked 10th and sixth in the nation, respectively, by Golfstat.

Senior Joel Wendin is currently in first place after carding a career-best 66 to lead the Red Wolves.  He holds a two-stroke lead over second-place Josh Edgar of Georgia State.

Joining Wendin among the top 10 leaders for A-State were Julien Sale and Matthew Cole in a tie for third and tie for sixth place, respectively.  Sale posted a 71, while Cole shot a 72.

Also competing for the Red Wolves, Zan Luka Stirn and Luka Naglic both shot a 74 to put them in a tie for 21st place.

The three-round tournament continues Monday with the second 18 holes.