Oct. 25, 2009

Standings | Isleworth Collegiate Invitational Tournament Information

WINDERMERE, Fla. — Two weeks after finishing tied for 12th at the Firestone Invitational, Kentucky men’s golf senior Jordan Blann carded the best Wildcat score of the day in the first round of play at the Isleworth Collegiate Invitational on Sunday.

Blann, a native of Bowling Green, Ky., shot a 5-over-par 77 in the first round. Blann has played in every tournament so far for the Wildcats this season, posting a season-stroke average of 75.89 heading into the tournament. Blann was a par machine through the middle of the first round, posting 10 consecutive pars. The senior sits in a tie for 37th.

Junior Brian Belden, who finished as Kentucky’s top golfer in the Wildcats first two tournaments this season, sits in a tie for 47th at the tournament. The native of Emmaus, Pa., shot a 7-over-par 79 in the opening round. Belden was UK’s top qualifier heading into the tournament and has a team-leading season-stroke average of 71.83.

Fellow junior James Kania finished one stroke behind Belden. The native of Haverford, Pa., carded an 8-over-par 80 in the first round. Kania, who was honored earlier this month as the Golf Association of Philadelphia’s William Hyndman, III Player of the Year, has played in every tournament for Kentucky this season. 

Senior Ben Fuqua and freshman Joseph Barr wrapped up the Kentucky opening round, finishing tied for 64th and 74th, respectfully.

As a team, the Wildcats are in 15th place. No. 6 Stanford is leading the tournament, followed by No. 5 TCU and No. 1 Oklahoma State. Stanford’s Steve Ziegler, Oklahoma State’s Peter Uihlein and Florida’s Tim McKenney are tied for first for the individual title after scoring 4-under-par 68s.

The Isleworth Collegiate Invitational will continue Monday with the second round.