SAPPHIRE VALLEY, NC. – The Winthrop men's golf team is tied for third place after the opening round of the 2009 Hummingbird Intercollegiate hosted by Western Carolina at the Country Club of Sapphire Valley.  The Eagles fired a 286 on the 6,767-yard par-71 layout to tie the host Catamounts and Akron.

Sophomore Brandon Truesdale fired a 3-under par score of 68 to lead Winthrop in the first round of the 36-hole event.  He trails Furman's Garland Farrell by a stroke in medal play.

Winthrop trails Kentucky by 7 shots heading into Tuesday's action.  The Wildcats carded an opening team round of 279 to hold a three-stroke advantage over second place Furman.  A total of 18 schools are entered in the tournament.

The final 18 holes will begin with fixed tee times beginning at 9:00 am on the front nine and 9:05 am on the back.