SUNSET BEACH, N.C. – James Hockman fired a one-under-par 71 to spearhead host Elon to sixth place after the opening round of the 22-team Fourth Annual Sea Trail Intercollegiate men's golf tournament Saturday on the 6,761-yard Rees Jones Course.

Hockman (33-38–71) led the entire 114-golfer field after the first nine holes, but slipped to a tie for fifth place in the individual standings after the back nine. Jacksonville's Duncan Stewart (34-34–68) enters final-round action on Sunday with sole possession of first place.

Only Rutgers (288), George Mason (293), Jacksonville (293), Samford (293) and Liberty (297) currently rank ahead of the Phoenix (298). Elon leads The Citadel (299), Gardner-Webb (299), Drexel (300), Western Carolina (302), Appalachian State (303), Princeton (304), Pfeiffer (306), Columbia (307), Florida Atlantic (309), Radford (311), Lenoir-Rhyne (313), Wagner (315), High Point (315), Mount St. Mary's (317), Stetson (317) and South Carolina State (326).

Elon's Bennett Smith (Tied-14th/35-38–73), Louis Rittberger (Tied-48th/39-38–77), Lance Johnson (Tied-48th/38-39–77) and Justin Newton (Tied-65th/40-38–78) are all competing as members of the team while Jimmy Lytle (Tied-8th/35-37–72) is representing the Phoenix as an individual.

– ELON –