With Franken setting the pace, NC State takes Puerto Rico lead
Stephen Franken (N.C. State Athletics)
N.C. State, chasing its second win of the 2018-19 season, went 8 under at Rio Mar Country Club in Rio Grande, Puerto Rico on Sunday to lead the Puerto Rico Classic. The Wolfpack got a big boost from senior Stephen Franken’s opening 67.
Franken, a Raleigh, N.C., native made the turn at even par, but posted five birdies over the final nine holes to take the individual lead. The reigning ACC Player of the Year, who shot a tournament-record round of 62 in last year's event, had eight birdies total in the opening round.
As for the team, Easton Paxon contributed a round of 2-under 70 while Benjamin Shipp had 1-under 71. Harrison Roades had even-par 72.
The Wolfpack started their spring with a top-5 finish at the Sea Best Invitational. Last fall, they won their own Wolfpack Intercollegiate before finishing the first half of the season with a runner-up finish at the Royal Oaks Intercollegiate.
N.C. State’s 8-under 280 left them two shots ahead of Georgia at 6 under. The Bulldogs got their banner round, a 3-under 69, from Trevor Phillips.
Georgia Tech is third at 5 under and Ohio State, fresh off its Big Ten Match Play victory a week ago, is fourth at 3 under. Oklahoma, in fifth at 1 under, is the only other team under par for 18 holes.
ABOUT THE Puerto Rico Classic
54 hole men's college tournament hosted by
Purdue University. Team (best four scores out of five
players) and individual competitions.
View Complete Tournament Information