GREENVILLE, S.C. -- The East Carolina men's golf team posted an opening round of 307 and currently sits in 14th place at the Furman Intercollegiate. The tournament is being played at the 6,800-yard, par 72 Furman Golf Course.

ECU (43-58-5) sits 12 strokes out of third place behind Elon and Michigan, who both posted seven-over par scores of 295.

Host school Furman is the first round leader after firing a two-under par 286 and has a seven stroke advantage over second place and three-time defending champion Virginia Tech (293). UNC Wilmington rounds out the top five after posting a nine-over 297.

The Pirates are one of 19 teams participating in this year's tournament along with: Appalachian State, Charleston Southern, Charlotte, Coastal Carolina, Davidson, Elon, Furman, Marshall, Michigan, Northwestern, UNC Greensboro, UNC Wilmington, Rhode Island, Tennessee-Chattanooga, Virginia Tech, Winthrop, and Wofford.

The two individual leaders took different routes to the top of the standings. Elon's James Hockman (32-37=69) teed off on No. 10 and recorded two bogeys and a birdie to make the turn at one over, then bogeyed hole one to go to two over. Over the course of his final six holes, however, Hockman made three birdies and an eagle (on the par five sixth hole) to finish at three under. Furman's T.J. Blandford (34-35=69), meanwhile, began his day on No. 1 and made birdies on the first, fifth, and 11th holes with no bogeys to also shoot 69. Entering round two there are 16 golfers within four strokes of the leaders, and 29 within five shots.

ECU's Jeff Crowe recorded a one-over par 73 (39-34) and is tied for 13th after round one. Fellow Pirates Brandon Pace and Jason Harris are tied for 56 after posting rounds of 77.

Second round action will resume Saturday morning.

Top Pirate Finishes
T13 Jeff Crowe 39-34=73
T56 Brandon Pace 40-37=77
T56 Jason Harris 39-38=77
T92 Alex Holmqvist-Winge 41-39=80
T108 Calle Andren 40-42=82

Top Individual Finishes
T1. James Hockman (Elon) 32-37=69
T1. T.J. Blandford (Furman) 34-35=69
3. Steve Mayo (Davidson) 36-34=70
T4. Matt Davidson (Furman) 36-35=71
T4. Shane Birckbichler (Furman B) 36-35=71
T4. Kevin Dore (Michigan) 36-35=71

Top Team Finishes
1. Furman 286
2. Virginia Tech 293
T3. Elon 295
T3. Michigan 295
5. UNC Wilmington 297