With Franken setting the pace, NC State takes Puerto Rico lead

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.