CHAPEL HILL, N.C. -- Senior Sarah-Eve Rhéaume (-2) is tied for ninth to lead the Furman women's golf team Friday after the opening day of the Ruth's Chris Tar Heel Invitational at the par 72, 6,393 yard UNC Finley Golf Course in Chapel Hill, N.C.

A native of Boischatel, Québec, Canada, Rhéaume birdied No. 7 to turn at 1-under then added birdies on No. 13 and No. 17 to finish the day with a 2-under 70, four strokes behind leader Erica Shepherd (-6) of Duke, who carded an opening-round 66.

Junior Anna Morgan (-1) is tied for 18th after posting a 71 with a team-high four birdies, including consecutive birdies on No. 2 and No. 3, and sophomore Sophia Burnett (E) shot an even 72 with three birdies on the back nine to tie for 27th.

Freshman Savannah Hylton (+5) scored a 77 to tie for 77th, while senior Kyra Cox (+6) tallied a 78 with a birdie on No. 13 to tie for 85th. 

Virginia (-6) holds a one-stroke lead over Wake Forest (-5).  Kentucky (-4) is third, while Michigan (-3) and Clemson (-3) are tied for fourth.  Furman (+2) is in tenth place, easily within striking distance of the leaders.  The Paladins lead Power 5 opponents Mississippi State (+5), N.C. State (+7), Michigan State (+8), SMU (+9), Ohio State (+10), and Maryland (+11).

The 54-hole tournament continues on Saturday.  Furman will tee off of No. 10 beginning at 8:30 a.m. and will play in a group with Mississippi State and UNCW.  Live tournament scoring will be available via http://www.golfstat.com.

10 Furman 290 290 +2

T9 Sarah-Eve Rhéaume (2) 70 70 -2

T18 Anna Morgan (1) 71 71 -1

T27 Sophia Burnett (3) 72 72 E

T77 Savannah Hylton (5) 77 77 +5

T85 Kyra Cox (4) 78 78 +6