LONGVIEW, TEXAS—In his opening round after a five-month layoff, Central College's Kayden Pendergrass (senior, Mount Vernon) fired a career-best 68 and is tied for fifth after 36 holes at the FST Pinecrest Invitational Monday.
           
Under sunny skies with temperatures climbing into the mid-70s, Pendergrass came back with a 76 in the afternoon round for 68-76—144. Andrew Bennett of Centenary University (La.) leads with 6-under-par at 69-69—138.

"Wow, what a great start for Kayden," coach Mel Blasi said. "He played terrific golf all day. He was really steady in the first round with five birdies and only one bogey. His hard work is really paying off."
           
Central is sixth in the team standings of the 12-team tourney, the spring season opener for the Dutch, at 294-305—599. Host LeTourneau University (Texas) leads with 293-279—527 while Texas-Dallas follows at 289-290—579. The 54-hole tournament concludes Tuesday as the Dutch tee off at 8 a.m. at the par-72 Pinecrest Country Club.
           
In an unusual format, teams are playing with six-man lineups rather than the traditional five, but still count only the low four rounds for team scores. Crew Klingner (freshman, Williamsburg) was next for Central at 77-75—152, tied for 29th. Blake Wynn (junior, Milan, Ill., Sherrard HS) is tied for 31st at 74-79—153, while Carter Yurgae (freshman, West Des Moines, Dowling Catholic HS) shot 75-79—154, Ethan Gordon (senior, Pella) shot 81-75--156 and Maison Brandt (freshman, Byron, Ill.) had 81-82—163.

"Blake Wynn played really well," Blasi said. "Carter Yurgae and Crew Klinger had good rounds and Ethan Gordon really picked us up. 

"For our first round of the season, coming from the snow, we did pretty well. We didn't get out at all last week because of the snowstorm. So competing here is a really difficult thing to do. But I've been excited about this group for a long time because of how well they play at home and they showed some glimpses of that today."
           
At-large entrant Cooper Langfelt (senior, Tabor, Fremont Mills HS) shot 84-84—168 and Andy McEvoy (senior, Elburn, Ill., Kaneland HS) had 104-95—199.