SAPPHIRE, N.C. -- Junior Ross Funderburke (-5) is tied for eighth to lead the Furman (-1) men's golf team through Monday's two rounds in the first day of the JT Poston Invitational, hosted by Western Carolina at the par 71, 7,007 yard Country Club of Sapphire Valley in Sapphire, N.C.

Funderburke, a native of Roanoke, Va., fired a 69 with a team-high six birdies, including five on the back nine, in round one, then posted a 68 with eight birdies, four on each side, in the afternoon round.    He sits five strokes back of leader Braedon Wear (-10) of Chattanooga, who recorded two rounds of 66 each to lead the field by one stroke.

Sophomore Mac Scott (E) is tied for 37th after carding a 1-under 70 with five birdies, including consecutive birdies on No. 11 and No. 12, in round one then adding a 72 with five birdies in the day's second round.  Junior Walker Crosby (+4) and freshman Trey Diehl (+4) are tied for 54th heading into Tuesday's final round.  Crosby had a 76 with three birdies in the opening round and bounced back with a 70 with four birdies in round two, while Diehl was consistent with a 73 with two birdies in each of the two rounds on Monday.

Senior Jack Crosby (+6) shot a 72 with back to back birdies on No. 13 and No. 14 in Monday's first round then recorded a 76 with a birdie on No. 18 in round two, tying for 63rd.  Sophomore Demi Di Matteo, who is playing as an individual, enters Tuesday's final round tied for 83rd after scoring an 81 with two birdies in round one and a 76 with four birdies in round two.  

South Carolina (-21) leads the field by two strokes with one round to play.  Chattanooga (-19) is in second place, followed by Middle Tennessee State (-15) in third place.  The Paladins (-1) are in tenth place, ahead of multiple teams, including UNCW (+5) and SoCon foe Mercer (+10).

Furman will tee off of No. 10 beginning at 9:15 a.m. on Tuesday in the final round of the 54-hole tournament and will play in a group with Morehead State and UNCW.  Admission is free and fans are welcome.  Results and live tournament scoring are available via http://www.FurmanPaladins.com and http://www.golfstat.com.

10 Furman 284 283 567 -1

T8 Ross Funderburke (2) 69 68 137 -5

T37 Mac Scott (3) 70 72 142 E

T54 Walker Crosby (4) 76 70 146 +4

T54 Trey Diehl (5) 73 73 146 +4

T63 Jack Crosby (1) 72 76 148 +6

T83 *Demi Di Matteo (I) 81 76 157 +15

*playing as an individual