May 15, 2008

(AP) -- Top seeded Georgia holds the lead after the first round of the NCAA men's east regional golf tournament in Chattanooga, and Augusta State is in second place in the 27-team field.

The Bulldogs were 19 shots under par today and lead Augusta State by eight strokes. Southern Methodist is in third place, another three strokes back. The top ten teams in the four-day event advance to the national tournament.

Georgia State is tied for 20th, but is only five strokes behind three teams that are tied for eighth. Augusta State's Henrik Norlander and Georgia's Hudson Swafford are the individual leaders at six-under par 65.

Meanwhile, in the central regional at Columbus, Ohio, Georgia Tech is tied for 21st after the first round at 23 over par. Wake Forest leads at six-over and Alabama is second, two strokes behind. The Yellow Jackets are eight strokes behind two teams tied for ninth in the battle to advance to the national tournament.