Sept. 11, 2000

Lincoln, Neb. - The University of Missouri men's golf team opened its 2000 fall season in fine fashion today, as the Tiger men took the team lead through two rounds of play at the 12-team Fairway Club Invitational, held at Firethorn Golf Club in Lincoln, Neb.

Missouri shot a two-round team score of 596, and leads North Carolina-Charlotte by four strokes heading into tomorrow's final round of play. Sam Houston State stands in third place (601), followed by Michigan State in fourth (603) and host Nebraska in fifth (605).

Individually, Missouri was led by a veteran and a newcomer. Senior Tom Vogt shot rounds of 72 and 74, and freshman Brandon Knaub shot rounds of 71 and 75, as the duo shot identical totals of 146, to find themselves among a five-way tie for second place. They trail leader Bryan Milberger (143) of Kansas State by just three strokes heading into the final round of play. Knaub's opening-round 71 was impressive, given that it was an even-par score in his first collegiate round.

Junior Mark McBride is tied for 30th overall individually, after posting rounds of 79 and 75 on the day for a 154 total. Freshman Michael Radek fired a one-over par 72 in his first collegiate round, but slid to an 83 in the afternoon tour, and is tied for 36th place individually with his 155 total. Junior Neal Stafford is tied for 48th overall, after rounds of 80 and 78 gave him a 158 total.

Additionally, sophomore Shawn Fleming is competing unattached, and stands tied for 14th place overall, after firing rounds of 75 and 74 for a 149 total. Fleming's score does not count toward MU's team effort.

If the Tigers hold on for the team victory tomorrow, it would mark the second straight fall that Head Coach Tim Robyn's squad has claimed a team title. In 1999, MU claimed the Kansas Invitational in October, as the Tigers knocked off the nation's top-ranked host Kansas Jayhawks on their home course.