Results

GLEN COVE, N.Y. – Rhode Island finished Day One of the Nassau Intercollegiate in second place, just three strokes behind host Long Island University Monday.

Led by redshirt senior Bryson Richards and freshman Josiah Tong in the opening round, the Rams posted a team score of 292, shooting a combined +12 at Nassau Country Club. LIU – led by overall leader Marcelo Mexsen's even-par 70 – leads the 10-team field with a 289. Richards and Tong both shot a 2-over 72 Monday. Richards was steady all day, sinking one birdie and playing even par over the final nine holes. Tong had two birdies and four bogey in the round.

Richards followed the first round with the low round of the day, firing a 3-under 67 in the afternoon. He sank four birdies over the final 12 holes, helping him take a one-stroke lead over LIU's Marcelo Mexsen and Villanova's Ryan Palmer atop the leaderboard.

"Bryson really dig deep after a lackluster first round to make sure everyone knew he was the best player on the golf course," Rhode Island head coach Gregg Burke said. "He will surely need a similar score to win tomorrow."

Tong and fellow freshman Tony Liu finished the second round in a tie for ninth place. Both are 6-over par heading into Tuesday's final round. 

"Tony simply did not hit the ball well at all so six over on that golf course was gritty," Burke said. "I thought Josiah continued to improve. And he continues to become more and more a part of the fabric of this team."

One stroke behind them is senior Geronimo Narizzano, who is tied for 13th overall, proving the team with a solid +7 for the day.

"Geronimo was solid and we can win with him as a strong three or four," Burke said. "We still need to be tougher out there."

The second and final round of the Nassau Intercollegiate will be played Tuesday morning.

Team Standings (Day One)
1. Long Island University – 289-280=569
2. Rhode Island – 292-286=578
3. Villanova – 293-292=585
4. Sacred Heart – 293-293=586
5. Hartford - 298-298=596
6. Le Moyne – 299-301=600
7. Fairleigh Dickenson – 307-310=617
8. Hofstra - 307-313=620
9. Manhattan – 311-310=621
10. Merrimack - 316-311=627