SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – Mason Williams shot a 1-under 69 to lead the Georgia Southern men's golf team in the first round of the NCAA Championship Friday at Grayhawk Golf Club, and the Eagles are tied for 16th.

Georgia Southern (+15) is tied with BYU and 13th-ranked Stanford, a stroke behind No. 6 Pepperdine (+14), which is tied with No. 14 Arkansas. Third-ranked Vanderbilt (+2) paces the 30-team field, while Oregon (+5) and No. 17 Auburn are tied for second.

Kansas' Harry Hillier and Auburn's Brendan Valdes turned in scorecards of 2-under 68, which currently leads the field of 136 golfers. Williams made a 35-foot birdie on his final hole of the day to shoot 69 and is tied with four other players for third. Only seven players in the field carded rounds below par.

The teams will play three rounds, and the top-15 teams and nine individuals not on those teams advance to a fourth round Monday. The individual medalist will be determined after Monday's fourth round, and the top eight teams advance to match play Tuesday. 
 
Wilson Andress finished with a 73 for the Eagles, and Hogan Ingram shot a 76. Ben Carr and Brantley Baker each posted a 77.

Of the top 10 teams after Day 1, five teed off before 7 a.m. local as playing before the Scottsdale sun settles in has proven to be an advantage. The Eagles were the last tee time in the morning wave (8 a.m. local) and started the round on the 10th hole. Williams birdied two of his first three holes and played the back 9 1-under. The senior was even on the front with three birdies, including the long putt on 9.

Andress played his last three holes 1-under and played the front 9 1-over. The senior started the day with consecutive birdies on 10 and 11. Ingram started his day with six straight pars and finished with a birdie on 9.

Georgia Southern will be the final group in the afternoon wave in Saturday's second round and will be paired with Utah and College of Charleston again. GS tees off the first hole at 1:20 p.m. local and 4:20 ET. Tomorrow's high is expected to be 99 degrees.

Results
Team – 295 (+15), T16
Mason Williams – 69 (-1), T3
Wilson Andress – 73 (+3), T42
Hogan Ingram – 76 (+6), T101
Ben Carr – 77 (+7), T121
Brantley Baker – 77 (+7), T121