HAMPDEN, Mass. – Freshman Josiah Tong was two-over par in the first round of his collegiate career to lead Rhode Island at the UConn Invitational at GreatHorse Sunday.

Tong delivered birdies on holes two and 10 as he carded a 74 on the par-72, 7,093-yard course. He played even par over the final 12 holes and finished the day tied for 19 th in the field of 78 players. Tong is four strokes off the trio of leaders, Pyae Phyo Thu (Fairleigh Dickinson), Marcelo Mexsen (LIU) and Mike McConie (Siena).

"Josiah had a terrific score given that it is his first tournament round ever and he did it having never played there before," Rhode Island head coach Gregg Burke said.

The Rams were once again without redshirt senior and No. 1 player Bryson Richards, who is missing his second straight tournament as he recovers from an injury. Rhody's lineup included three fresmen and a sophomore.

Sophomore Aidan O'Donovan and senior Geronimo Narizzano were 4-over and tied for 37th. Freshman Owen Rooney was 5-over, while classmate Tony Liu was 6-over for the day.

"Another tournament without Bryson, who would have been one of the two or three best players in the field so we lose a red number and pick up a four or five over," Burke said. "The three freshmen who played have talent and will come around for sure. With no pre-tournament round due to the rain, whet didn't get to play the course before the round today. I expect them to play better tomorrow.
 
"We need better scoring from the two upperclassmen. Aidan played great at points but went four over in the final four holes. Geronimo gutted out a four over with a terrific back nine, but we can't win tournaments with four overs from those guys. We had to take a nine over for the final four holes with the players whose score we used. That isn't good."

Rhode Island is tied for ninth in the team standings with Fairleigh Dickenson at +15. Siena leads the team standings at +2, followed by Boston College, Iona and Connecticut, each of whom finished the day +4.

The URI players will tee off in the second round at 8:30 Monday morning.

Team Standings (Day One)
1. Siena - 290
t-2. Boston College - 292
t-2. Iona - 292
t-2. Connecticut - 292
t-5. LIU - 295
t-5. St. John's - 295
t-7. Xavier - 302
t-7. Towson - 302
t-9. Rhode Island - 303
t-9. Fairleigh Dickinson - 303
11. Lafayette - 305
t-12. Holy Cross - 306
t-12. Rider - 306

Tournament Info

• UConn Invitational at GreatHorse
• GreatHorse - Hampden, Mass.
• Par 72 (7,093 yards)
• Second Round: Monday, Oct. 2
• Third Round: Tuesday, Oct. 3
• The Field: 13 schools, plus 13 individuals (78 players)