Oklahoma State leads at Amer Ari Invitational

WAIKOLOA, Hawaii (Feb. 7, 2014) -- Oklahoma State, ranked No. 3 in the Golfweek/Sagarin Rankings, fired a 17-under 271 on Thursday to take the first-round lead at the Amer Ari Invitational in Waikoloa, Hawaii. The Cowboys were led by Wyndham Clark and Ian Davis, both firing 6-under 66s at the Waikoloa Kings' Course, putting them in a four-way tie for third on the individual leaderboard, two back of Oregon's Thomas Lim. Oklahoma State's Jordan Niebrugge posted a 5-under 67 to give the Cowboys three players well under par. The biggest surprise at the top of the leaderboard was TCU, who came into the tournament ranked No. 57 in the Golfweek/Sagarins. The Horned Frogs got off to a fast start behind four under-par rounds, led by Chelso Barrett (66) and Julien Brun (67). USC, ranked No. 25, is only two shots back a week after it held the 36-hole lead at the Arizona Intercollegiate. Freshman Rico Hoey picked up a 7-under 65 on Thursday to lead the Trojans, while Jeffrey Kang contributed a 66 and Anthony Paolucci a 68. Georgia Tech, ranked No. 2 in the latest Golfweek/Sagarin Rankings, struggled mightily on Thursday and will start the second round 15 shots back of the Cowboys. Ollie Schniederjans was the only Yellow Jacket to break par after a 3-under 69.