PAWLEYS ISLAND, S.C. (March 31, 2025) – The University of North Alabama men's golf team finished day one in fifth at the Golfweek/Any Given Tuesday Invite on Monday at the True Blue Golf Resort in Pawleys Island, S.C. 

This tournament is three days compared to the typical two, so the Lions only played 18 holes for the day. The Lions finished fifth and were tied in fourth at one point before finalizing their eight-under day. North Alabama finished three-under on par-3s for an average of 2.88, just behind Mercer who had a six-under. They tied in third for birdies with 20 and second with one eagle.  

Blake Henriques finished second after the first round with a seven-under day at a 65 overall score. He was one stroke shy of a tie for first place. He totaled six birdies and an eagle in the single Monday round. His six birdies tied for third best throughout the tournament.  

Henriques day was historic. He finished tied for the best individual score in Division I history with the second-place finish being his career best as a Lion. Henriques is now the fifth UNA golfer to acquire the 65 overall score. Two former Lions such as Jackson Wedgeworth and Francois Jacobs accomplished the feat while current teammates, Xing Luo and Andrew Ferworn also shot for 65 in a single round.  

Senior Chase Kaiser tied for 19th on the afternoon and added five of his own birdies with a two-under day. Luo finished tied in 32nd with four birdies for a 71 at one-under. These three Lions all shot under for the tournament. Kaiser and Henriques shot under for both front and back nines.  

Sophomore Andrew Ferworn finished in a tie for 58th with a two-over day for a grand total of 74. He added two birdies. Junior Sebastian Bengtsson added three birdies for a three-over day to tie in 68th. 

Marshall and Jacksonville State tie for the lead of the tournament after round one. Jacksonville State has the tournament leading golfer in Ryley Heath who sits at eight-under.  

Xavier files into third place at 11-under for the day while Mercer is a stroke under with a 278 total. As North Alabama sits in fifth, they best SIUE by a stroke who is currently at 281. ASUN foe West Georgia shot a 283 total for seventh.  

There is a three-way tie for eighth place between Fairleigh Dickinson, Georgia State and St. John's at three-under for 285. A tie between Stephen F. Austin and Valparaiso for 11th at 286 while a tie for 13th between UConn and USC Upstate at 287. Southern Indiana, Long Island and Kansas City round out the 15, 16 and 17 spots.  

"We struggled to get started today but I'm glad on how we fought," said The Schmitz Family Head Men's Golf Coach, Austin Phillips. "This is not even close to our best, but we still have a chance to win this tournament. The guys will come back swinging tomorrow, I'm sure of that. Blake played great…he is this player. We know he has this in him, and I know he will keep going."   

UNA continues the tournament tomorrow, April 1 starting at 9:15 a.m. at True Blue Golf Resort. 

Golfweek/Any Given Tuesday Invite
True Blue Golf Resort
 
Team Leaderboard
T1. Marshall 276 -12
T1. Jacksonville St. 276 -12
3. Xavier 277 -11
4. Mercer 278 -10
5. North Alabama 280 -8
6. SIUE 281 -7
7. West Georgia 283 -5
T8. FDU 285 -3
T8. Georgia State 285 -3
T8. St. John's 285 -3
T11. SFA 286 -2
T11. Valparaiso 286 -2
T13. UConn 287 -1
T13. USC Upstate 287 -1
15. Southern Indiana 297 +9
16. Long Island 299 +11
17. Kansas City 302 +14

North Alabama Golfers
T2. Blake Henriques 65 | -7
T19. Chase Kaiser 70 | -2
T32. Xing Luo 71 | -1
T58. Andrew Ferworn 74 | +2
T68. Sebastian Bengtsson 75 | +3

For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.