VALDOSTA, Ga. – The Central Arkansas men's golf team played one of the best rounds in program history to start the ASUN Championship, shooting a 271 to open play on Tuesday. All four of the Bears' counting scores are in the top-10, led by overall leader Noah Blaickner.
 
Blaickner opened his first ASUN Championship with a 64, scoring an eagle on his second hole of the day and never looking back. The 64 is tied for the second-best single round score in program history, and just one stroke away from tying the ASUN Championship single round record. After his eagle, he proceeded to sink six birdies, closing at 8 strokes under par.
 
The next three Bears all tied at seventh after round one, in Vukasin Suturovic, Bogdan Sandrini and Jack Wilson. Suturovic, like Blaickner, had zero holes under par on Tuesday, and scored three birdies on the day. Sandrini and Wilson mirrored one another, each with two bogeys, but five birdies. Kalle Svederman shot a 1-under 71, closing the day at 20^th after notching four birdies of his own.
 
Central Arkansas' team score of 271 is the third-lowest in an ASUN Championship, and is tied for second in Central Arkansas program history, hitting the mark for the first time since 2011. The Bears were the best of the day at all three levels of par, finishing par threes at 4-under, par fours at 3-under, and par fives at 11-under. Central Arkansas was the only team to log 20 birdies on the day, closing out with 23, and as a team, had only six holes above par.
 
The Bears lead Stetson in second place by eight strokes, and Jacksonville by ten in third place. Blaickner holds a three-stroke lead over second place Brett Moore of FGCU, and there's a four-way tie for third place after the first 18 holes.
 
Central Arkansas is back on the course tomorrow and Thursday to close the ASUN Championship. For complete stats and standings, visit the tournament page.