Tyler Neff Keys the Mocs on Day One of the Bank of America Intercollegiate

Courtesy: GoMocs.com

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MADISON, Miss.---Tyler Neff and Jonathan Hodge led the No. 12 Chattanooga men’s golf team to a first-place tie after 36 holes at the Bank of America Intercollegiate at the Reunion Golf and Country Club in Madison, Miss.  The Mocs shot a 13-under par 563 to join No. 45 LSU for a two-stroke lead over host No. 32 Ole Miss at 565.

Neff and Hodge, who is ranked No. 31, are tied for seventh, shooting identical rounds of 71 and 69 today to finish the marathon day at four-under par.  Neff’s play was instrumental in driving the Mocs to the early lead as he is replacing Fredrik Qvicker who is out with a sprained ankle.

“Tyler was phenomenal,” said Head Coach Mark Guhne.  “We played great as a team today, but you have to highlight what Tyler did for us.  It is very encouraging to see us come together like this.”

Ben Rickett was solid for the Mocs tied for 12th at two-under par 141 (71-70).  J.T. Clendenin is tied for 15th at two-under par 142 (70-72), while Derek Rende is tied for 31st at shooting 74-73, 147 (+3).

Neff and Hodge are five shots behind first-place Jonathan Randolph (-9) of Ole Miss.  As a team, Chattanooga posted eight par or better rounds in 10 tries in the first two rounds.  UTC and LSU lead the Rebels by two, No. 43 Vanderbilt by 14 and South Alabama by 16.

The Mocs 280 (-8) in the second round tied for its fifth best round of the year, while the 283 (-5) tied for ninth.  The one-over par 73 of Derek Rende which served as the second round drop score ties for the lowest drop score of the season with Rickett’s opening round at the Scenic City Invitational.

“We played well, we played smart,” added Guhne.  “It is a great opportunity that lies before us.’

The tournament concludes with 18 holes tomorrow.