Nov. 9, 2009

Unranked Duke University took the first round lead Monday at the fifth annual Gifford Collegiate Championship at CordeValle Country Club in San Martin, Calif.

The Blue Devils fired a score of 10-under par 350 in the six-count-five format and held a two-stroke lead over Lamar and top-ranked Oklahoma State at 352 (-8). Host UCLA was tied for sixth place with No. 11 Augusta State at 356 (-4). Early first-round leader USC fell back to fourth place at 353 (-7), followed by second-ranked Stanford at six-under 354. Half of the 14-team field was under par after the opening round.

Individually, the Bruins' Pedro Figueiredo was the first round leader along with Augusta State's Taylor Floyd at five-under par 67. Six players were tied for the runner-up spot at 68 (-4), including Lamar's MJ Daffue, Stanford's Sihwan Kim, Duke's Matthew Pierce and Oklahoma State's Peter Uihlien.

Figueiredo, a freshman, was one-over par after five holes before playing the rest of his round in six-under par. He managed three birdies on his last four holes on the outward nine. On the inward side, he made three straight birdies on holes 5-7 (his 14th-16th holes), before a bogey at his 17th gave him a two-under 34.

Sophomores Gregor Main and Alex Shi Yup Kim and freshman Pontus Widegren were all tied for 32nd at even par 72. Freshman Mario Clemens posted a 73 (+1) and was tied for 41st. Freshman Bobby Lange's score of 78 (+6) was not used, but he was tied for 77th.

UCLA's Beau Schoolcraft, playing as an individual, posted a two-over par 74 and was tied for 50th place.

For more information, click here.