April 20, 2008

• Complete Round One Results
• Conference USA Championship Central

TEXARKANA, Ark. - Senior Brad Smith and junior Zach Sucher each carded a four-under par 68 and are in a tie for first overall, to lead the No. 26 UAB men's golf team in the opening round of the 2008 Conference USA Men's Golf Championships. As a team, the Blazers are in third overall with a five-under par 283 during Sunday's opening 18 holes.

"I am proud of the way we played as a team, especially the round we got from both Zach and Brad today," UAB head coach Alan Kaufman said. "If we continue to keep playing well as a team, we will be in the hunt for the title."

Memphis leads the 11-team field after scorching the course with an 11-under par 277 to hold a five-stroke lead over second-place Houston (282). Southern Miss is in fourth overall at 286, while No. 19 UCF rounds out the top five with a 287.

Smith played a terrific round, as he collected four birdies and no bogeys on the par 72, 6,935-yard Texarkana Country Club course. The Adelaide, South Australia native recorded three birdies on the front nine, while also carding a fourth on the par-5, 555-yard 12th hole. Meanwhile, Sucher led the team with six birdies on the afternoon, but also recorded two bogeys on the 227-yard, par-3 third hole, as well as the 441-yard, par-4 14th hole.

The tandem, who are among a six-way tie for first place after the first round, entered the C-USA Championships ranking among the top collegiate golfers in the nation. According to Golfweek.com's latest individual rankings, Sucher ranks 32nd in the country with a 71.56 per-round average, while Smith is 62nd in the country, averaging 71.9 strokes per round.

Junior Mike Oimoen is in a tie for 22nd overall after carding a one-over par 73 on the day, while sophomore Adam West is one stroke back of him and tied for 32nd with a two-over 74. Senior Kyle Sapp rounded out the Blazers with a six-over 78.

In UAB men's golf news away from the championship, former UAB golfer Josh Thompson captured his first career victory on the Hooters Tour, claiming the title at the 2008 Touchstone Energy Open with a nine-under par 279 (68-68-71-72).

"This was a double-dose of great news," Kaufman said. "We played well and one of our former golfers earned his first professional victory. Josh has really worked hard on his all-around game and it showed. I couldn't be happier for him."

The tournament champion will receive an automatic berth to an NCAA regional. The second round of the C-USA Championships will begin at 8 a.m. on Monday morning. Live scoring can be found by going to golfstat.com.