Day #1 Results (.pdf) I Day #2 Tee Times (.pdf)

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - The IUPUI men's golf team didn't have its best day, but stayed in contention after Monday's opening round at the Don Benbow Invitational hosted by Butler at Jacksonville Beach Golf Course. The Jaguars shot an opening round 291 and trail leader Sam Houston State by two strokes entering Tuesday's final round.

Sam Houston State, which entered play ranked No. 84 nationally according to Golfstat, shot a 289 on Monday and leads the 13-team field. IUPUI is five shots in front of third-place Evansville (296) and six clear of UW-Green Bay (297).

"We looked rusty but that wasn't unexpected," IUPUI head coach John Andrews said. "We haven't played in four and a half months, so it's to be expected."

Despite the rust, senior Michael Davan is tied atop the leaderboard after an even par 71 on Monday. The Summit League stroke average leader coming in was one of five players to shoot 71 on Monday. His teammates Santiago Ruiz and Ben Engle are two of four players tied for sixth-place after both shooting opening round 72's.

"Davan competed and shot 71. He didn't play his best, but he really competed well," Andrews said. "Neither he or (Ben) Engle looked as fluid as they did in the fall. Engle didn't look all that fluid at all, but they battled."

Senior Michael Powell and sophomore Jose Pablo Segurola rounded out the lineup at 76 and 79, respectively.

"I never had it," Powell said. "Three out of four holes were birdies for me. It's not like the birdies weren't there but the rest of the holes were just ugly. We shouldn't be this rusty given how much we practiced over the winter, but competition is different.

"I feel like we got away with one today. We can't do this at IU or Missouri and get away with it."

Sophomore Rob van de Vin made his collegiate debut with an opening round 75, despite battling illness. The Netherlands-native joined the squad at semester and was one of the nation's top junior players before coming to the U.S. in December.

"I had a poor start on the first three holes, but played better," van de Vin said. "I made some birdies and made some bogeys. It was just good to get out and play.

"It was nice weather and the course was in good condition. It felt like I was getting better as my day went on."

With Davan, Engle and Powell keying the top of the lineup, Ruiz, Segurola and van de Vin are among the leaders battling for the bottom two spots.

"Competition breeds the best in people," Andrews said. "Santiago played well today, just like he has all winter. We know three guys who are going to be in the lineup so those other guys are working for those other two spots and they know it."

IUPUI's tee times will range from 8:50-9:30 a.m. on Tuesday with the Jaguars being paired with Sam Houston and UW-Green Bay. van de Vin, playing as an individual, will go off No. 10 beginning at 7:40 a.m. tomorrow.

Team Standings
1. Sam Houston State - 289 (+5)
2. IUPUI - 291 (+7)
3. Evansville - 296 (+12)
4. UW-Green Bay - 297 (+13)
5. Florida A&M - 303 (+19)
6. Cleveland State - 304 (+20)
7. Savannah State - 305 (+21)
t-8. Creighton - 306 (+22)
t-8. Eastern Illinois - 306 (+22)
t-8. Fairleigh Dickinson - 306 (+22)
t-8. Butler - 306 (+22)
t-12. Bradley - 310 (+26)
t-12. Alabama State - 310 (+26)

Individual Results
t-1. Michael Davan - 71 (E)
t-6. Ben Engle - 72 (+1)
t-6. Santiago Ruiz - 72 (+1)
Michael Powell - 76 (+5)
Jose Pablo Segurola - 79 (+8)
*Rob van de Vin - 75 (+4)
   *played as an individual