Florida Gators

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Behind shining performances from freshmen Joe Pagdin and Tyler Wilkes, the Florida men's golf team sits in a tie for fifth place at the Gators Invitational presented by VyStar following the first day of competition.
 
After adjusting the format of the tournament to accommodate approaching inclement weather, the Gators hit the course at 8 a.m. ET and continued throughout the day, completing 27 holes before sunset forced golfers to retire until tomorrow morning.
 
Joe Pagdin led the way for the Gators, posting a 5-under par score through 30 holes of play and sitting in a tie for fourth individually. The freshman recorded a 65 in the first round of competition, a collegiate career low.
 
After a back-and-forth opening 18 holes, Tyler Wilkes headed into the second round locked in. The freshman recorded two eagles before play was called due to sunset. He'll head back on the course 4-under par and tied for ninth individually.
 
Yuxin Lin continued his steady play for the Gators, sitting 2-under par and tied for 27th.
 
Ricky Castillo and Fred Biondi rounded out the Gators lineup. The duo traded bogeys and birdies throughout the first day of competition, but sit at even par and 3-over respectively heading into tomorrow's slate of events.
 
The University of Florida also has five individuals competing in the event – Carlos Bustos, John DuBois, Manny Girona, Giovanni Manzoni and Christophe Stutts.
 
Carlos Bustos and John DuBois led the way for the Gators individual competitors, both finishing the day 2-under par.
 
Florida will head back out on the course tomorrow at 8 a.m. ET to complete the round and will continue into the third and final round promptly after if weather conditions allow. Schedule updates can be found on Twitter at @GatorsGolf.
 
Notable

• John DuBois' 65 in the first round is a new career low.
• Joe Pagdin recorded a career-low 65 in the first round.
• Freshman Tyler Wilkes recorded eagles on the seventh and 12th hole during the second round.

Head Coach JC Deacon's Take
On his thoughts following today's events…
"I think I can speak for everyone when I say how thankful we are to have played this much golf today. Huge credit goes out to Paul Hamilton and our superintendent staff, Scott Hampton and the Proshop staff, Brenda Lembo and all of her organization. As for our team, we have to play better. When you have a field this strong and this deep and you don't play your best golf, it's going to show. We have a great opportunity tomorrow to come out on our home course and play some great golf and get back in this thing. Our guys are playing really well, as demonstrated by the four under-par rounds we counted. We just weren't quite as sharp in the afternoon. We've been playing a lot of great golf for a long time and I'm excited to see what our guys can do with this opportunity tomorrow."
 
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