NCAA Men's Golf Chapel Hill Regional - Round 1 Results 

Chapel Hill, N.C. - Western Carolina individual competitor J.T. Poston carded six birdies on Thursday including four on the back nine to fire a four-under par, 68, to sit amidst a six-way tie for third place after the opening round of the NCAA Men's Golf Chapel Hill Regional at the par-72, 7,242-yard UNC Finley Golf Course.

Paired with Jeremy Wall from 13th-place Loyola-Maryland and individual competitor Ashton Van Horne from Belmont, Poston is scheduled to tee-off on the back nine beginning at 10:34 am in the final pairing off of No. 10. Live scoring of the event is available online through GolfStatResults.com.

Poston's first round 68 was the best of his career in the NCAA post-season, three-strokes better than his previous low-round of 71 carded twice. It was just the third individual post-season round for a Catamount men's golfer carded in the 60s, matching Matt Cook's second round 68 back in 2008.

"Obviously, I thought it was a solid round to start the week, shooting 68 today and to sit in a tie for third after 18 holes," said Poston following his opening round. "For the most part, I just putted the ball really well today, making a lot of good length putts and scrambled well. I felt like I got a lot out of this round - like turning a one-under, 71, into a three-under, 68, thanks to a few key shots."

He added, "I didn't hit the driver great, so if I can get that figured out and continue to putt it the same the rest of the week, then it could be a lot of fun over the next couple of days."

Poston birdied two of his first four holes on Thursday morning to quickly move to two-under par where he remained until a bogey on the par-4 ninth left him at one-under par at the turn. The senior moved back to two-under par with his third birdie on the par-4 10th in the first hole of the back nine.

A product of Hickory, N.C., Poston charted a second bogey on the par-3 12th. However, he rallied to record three-consecutive birdies between the 13th and 15th holes, moving to four-under par. He closed his round with three-straight pars to put the finishing touches on the four-under par, 68.

All told, Poston's six birdies on Thursday were the second-most carded in the opening round by any golfer. He is also tied for the tournament-lead in par-4 scoring at three-under, 3.70.

Western Carolina head coach Bryant Odom echoed Poston's thoughts on the senior's first round.

"J.T. got a lot out of his round today," said Odom. "He was unable to capitalize on the reachable par-5 holes, but stole a few birdies on the back nine with good putting and wedge play. This was one of those rounds where most guys would shoot around even-par, 72; but he was able to keep his momentum and heat up the putter when he needed it most."

Charlotte paces the 13-team field by six-strokes over second-place Florida. The 49ers scoring five combined to shoot 13-under par, 275, while the Gators are in the clubhouse in the runner-up position after shooting seven-under, 281. Florida State and Clemson are tied for third with matching scores of four-under par, 284, with regional host North Carolina in the final transfer position in fifth at two-under, 286.

The regional tournament resumes with tee times at 8:20 am on Friday morning. The low five teams and the low individual not on those teams after Saturday's final round will advance to the NCAA Men's Golf Championship, May 29 through June 1 at The Concessions Golf Club in Bradenton, Fla., hosted by the University of South Florida.