UNLV men’s golf in second behind freshman Smith’s 67

Colby Smith wasn’t looking to do anything magical at Southern Highlands Golf Club on Friday.

The UNLV freshman from Auburn, Calif., merely wanted to stay around par and build from there.

Smith wound up with a 5-under-par 67, his best collegiate round, to help put the Rebels in contention after the first day of the 54-hole Southern Highlands Collegiate Championship.

UNLV, at 3-under 285, was two shots behind leader Clemson and two shots in front of third-place Arizona. Smith was tied for the individual lead with Clemson’s Ben Martin, Southern California’s Matthew Giles and Georgia Tech’s Cameron Tringale.

"It’s the first time I’ve been able to contribute to the team, and that feels good," Smith said after carding six birdies and just one bogey.

"I think it was more that nothing went bad instead of what went good," Smith added. "I just tried to hit fairways and greens. I didn’t fire at the pins. I just aimed for the middle of the green."

It was a good strategy on a windy day when the start of play was delayed 90 minutes because of frost on the par-72, 7,510-yard course.

Smith made birdie on his first two holes, then overcame his bogey at the par-4 No. 5 with a birdie at the par-4 sixth. He made the turn at 2 under.

The 19-year-old closed with birdies at Nos. 17 and 18.

"It’s great to see Colby play well and get a big round under his belt," UNLV coach Dwaine Knight said. "It’ll certainly help his confidence."

Overall, the Rebels played solid golf. Brett Kanda shot a 33 on the back nine to finish at 72. Eddie Olson and Derek Ernst carded 1-over 73s.

"I’m glad to see us in contention," Knight said. "We’re trying to play some solid golf and be consistent. It’s a good start for us."

For much of his round, Ji Moon was the best UNLV golfer on the course. The sophomore was 3 under through 10 holes and appeared to be on his way to a big day. But the par-5 13th began a string of five bogeys for Moon, and he finished at 74.

UNLV’s Jermiah Wooding, playing as an individual this week, carded a 73. Teammate Johnny Pinjuv, also playing as an individual, shot 20-over 92.

The second round will begin at 8 a.m. today.

Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913.