Senior Lake Johnson got the new season off to a solid start with a 1-under par 71 leading the Chattanooga Mocs on day one of the Carpet Capital Collegiate. Johnson and his mates turned in 295 at the Farm.
That puts Chattanooga ninth overall, two behind Auburn (293) in sixth and one shy of the pair of Virginia and South Carolina in seventh. The quintet is one ahead of LSU in 10th and six clear of Florida, Cal, North Florida and Colorado State, all tied for 11th (301).
UTC started on the 10th hole.
Eight birdies and an eagle over the first six holes had the squad at 4 under in the early going. The 17th hole, playing as No. 8, took a bite out as the counting cards were 5 over during the stretch. That sent the squad to the front side at 2 over.
That nine was stingy as the team posted just five birdies. Johnson had two of the five bookending the trip with birdies at one and nine. It was a steady day for the Chattanooga native with three birdies, 13 pars and just two bogeys.
He’s tied for eighth with his 71. That’s two ahead of sophomore A.J. Lintunen whose 73 was one better than junior Will Porter at 74. Oliver Simonsen turned in 77 with Etienne Brault’s 79 serving as the drop tally.
Tennessee is the early leader at 280. Defending champ Georgia Tech is second at 281 with Alabama and Kennesaw State tied for third at 288. The Crimson Tide’s Davis Riley is the individual leader at 68 (-4).