Ponte Vedra Beach High graduate Davis Lee and Robbie Higgins of the University of North Florida both birdied the 18th hole at the University of Oklahoma’s Jimmie Austin Golf Club on Monday to get into the mix in an NCAA Regional in Norman, Okla.
Lee, a senior, shot 3-under 69 to finish in a tie for sixth while Higgins, a junior, shot 2-under 70 to tie for 12th in the first round of the 54-hole tournament. The Ospreys are in sixth place as a team at 3-under, seven shots behind first-round leader Texas Tech.
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The host Sooners are 9-under, Alabama is 7-under, Duke is 5-under and Colorado is 4-under.
Lee birdied three of five holes during one stretch on the way to his 20th career round in the 60s for UNF. Higgins birdied four of his first five holes on the back nine.
Three-time ASUN player of the year and UNF junior Nick Gabrelcik and senior Cody Carroll of Middleburg both shot 73 to tie for 35th. Lance Yates had a 74 and is tied for 45th.
The top-five teams at the end of six regional tournaments qualify for the NCAA Championship May 26-31 at the Grayhawk Golf Club in Scottsdale, Ariz.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Davis Lee, Robbie Higgins pace early UNF efforts in NCAA regional