February 21, 1999
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico - The Purdue men's golf team struggled to 17th-place on the first day of competition at the Puerto Rico Golf Classic in San Juan, Puerto Rico. This classic features 15 of the nation's top teams, and in 1998, eighth teams were ranked in the top 25. After two rounds, top-ranked Clemson and third-ranked Georgia Tech finds themselves sharing the lead with a team total of seven-under par (281) at the Rio Mar Country Club River Course. Purdue has a team total of 314 (+26), led by sophomore Chad Jones and senior Colby Huffman at six-over-par 78, good for a tie for 66th place. The individual leader is Michael Hoey of Clemson at five-under-par 67. Defending champion North Carolina is currently in ninth place, 11 shots behind the Tigers and Yellow Jackets.
"For our first tournament of the spring, it is a little disappointing to be in 17th place after the first day," Purdue coach Devon Brouses said. "It especially hurts when teams like Clemson and Georgia Tech are playing so well. The areas we need to improve upon are our short game and putting. Hopefully tomorrow we can turn things around and continue to improve."
The second round of 18 holes will be played Monday morning.
PURDUE INDIVIDUALLY (After the first day)
T-66th Chad Jones 39-39=78 T-66th Colby Huffman 41-37=78T-70th Lee Williamson 39-40=79T-70th Ryan Miller 41-38=79T-86th Bert Jones 48-39=87TEAM STANDINGS (After the first day)
1. Georgia Tech 281 (-7) Clemson 281 (-7) 3. Georgia 285 (-3) 4. Minnesota 289 (+1) East Tennessee State 289 (+1) Texas 289 (+1) 7. Northwestern 290 (+2) 8. Wake Forest 291 (+3) 9. North Carolina 292 (+4)10. North Carolina State 297 (+9)11. Penn State 299 (+11)12. Virginia 303 (+15)13. Florida State 304 (+16) Columbus State 304 (+16)15. Duke 306 (+18)16. Kent 311 (+23)17. Purdue 314 (+26)18. Missouri 316 (+28)