Results

MARICOPA, Ariz. - Sophomore Josiah Tong shot 3-under par to lead Rhode Island in the opening round of the National Golf Invitational Friday.

Tong - who is tied for eighth in the 49-player field, just four strokes off the leader, Enrique King of Utah State. As a team, the Rams were 2-over par on the day, putting them in a tie for eighth place in the 10-team championship. Utah State leads the field at 11-under par, one stroke ahead of Ohio State. Stetson is in third place at 7-under par, and the rest of the field is all at least five strokes back from there.

"This was certainly not the score we expected, but it was only the second day on the golf course with more than 100 bunkers in a climate where normal distances don't apply," Rhode Island head coach Gregg Burke said. "I was really hoping for nine- or 10 under on the par fives. It didn't work out that way, although Josiah and Tyler Bruneau combined for five under."

Graduate student Sean Magarian joined Tong as the two URI players who finished under par for the round. Magarian had five birdies on the day and is tied for 17th at 1-under par.

Freshman Tyler Bruneau (+2) is tied for 29th overall, while freshman Luke Stennett (+4) is tied for 42nd and junior Aidan O'Donovan (+6) is tied for 46th.

"If there was one thing that was disappointing, it was the final four holes," Burke said. "We were three under heading into that stretch and as a team played them in nine-over par. We always say we need to be toughest late in the round, late in the tournament, and late in the season.  I am sure we will be much better on those holes tomorrow. I have confidence in how hard the guys have worked to get here."

Round two will be Saturday, with URI paired with Utah State.

2025 Golfweek
National Golf Invitational
Team Standings
1. Utah State - 277
2. Ohio State - 278
3. Stetson - 281
4. George Mason - 286
5. West Virginia - 287
6. Richmond - 289
6. Utah Valley - 289
8. Rhode Island - 290
8. Oregon State - 290
10. Texas State - 291