The No. 5 ranked Emory men's golf team headed for the coast of Georgia this weekend to take part in the Jekyll Island Collegiate, hosted by the Oglethorpe Stormy Petrels. Jekyll Island drew a competitive crowd, with eight of the nation's top-10 teams making the trip to compete in the event. The Eagles started competition at the tournament on Friday morning, shooting an even 288 (E) to find themselves in second out of 30 teams after 18 holes. Senior Josh Qian stole the show for the Eagles, shooting a team-best 69 (-3) and is tied for third on the individual leaderboard in a field of well over 150 golfers. The event was played at the Jekyll Island Golf Club's Pine Lakes Course, a Par-72 and 6,700-yard set.
 
The Eagles are four shots behind #3 Illinois Wesleyan, who shot a 284 (-4) on Friday to seize the day one lead. Rounding out the top three after 18 holes is #4 Sewanee, who are right on the Eagles' heels after carding a 289 (+1). The individual leader is Illinois Wesleyan's Griffin Pohl, who has a three stroke-cushion over the closest competitors after shooting a 66 (-6).
 
Qian was brilliant in his round, tapping in nine pars, six birdies, and just three bogeys to find himself right in the thick of things heading into Saturday. He started the day with a birdie on hole one, a 528-yard Par 5, and did not look back. Qian went on to birdie all four Par 5s on the day. His six birdies led all Eagles and is tied for the second most of any player on day one. He will enter day two three strokes off Pohl.
 
Sophomore Kevin Mu had a very impressive day as well, putting on a strong push over his final six holes to finish under par with a 71 (-1). Mu was two over par after his front nine but rallied to shoot three under par on the back, which featured four birdies over his final six holes. Mu is tied for 12^th heading into Saturday, five strokes off the lead.
 
Senior Tony Li joined Mu in having a strong back nine, shooting two under par with seven birdies and a pair of birdies. However, he shot three-over to start his day to combine for a 73 (+1) and find himself just above par. Li is tied for 34^th ahead of Saturday's round.
 
Senior Michael Burry, got off to a strong start, staying even during his front nine. Yet, a pair of double bogeys and a bogey mixed in with a couple birdies in the second half saw his score balloon to a 75 (+3) and find himself tied for 61^st.
 
Junior Brian Hanson rounds out the lineup for Emory on Friday, shooting an 80 (+8). Hanson struggled on the Par 5s, recording a score of three-over par on those holes. A triple bogey on hole 17, a 202-yard Par 3, saw his score inflate right at the end of his round. He is tied for 130^th.
 
Emory sent a few individuals to Jekyll Island as well, with freshman Zach Pelzar and sophomore Brady Lagendyk, competing as well. The individuals' first round of the event was held at the Jekyll Island Golf Club's Indian Mound course. Pelzar shot a 73 (+1) on his first day, tapping in two birdies along with three bogeys. He is tied for 34^th after his round on the other course.
 
Lagendyk was in great position, being at two-under through 14 holes. Yet, a double bogey and triple bogey on back-to-back holes saw his score quickly raise to over par. He finished with a 76 (+4). He is tied for 85^th.
 
The individuals and team lineups will swap courses on Saturday, with the individuals heading to the Pine Lakes Course and teams going to the Indian Mound Course. The Eagles competing in the team lineup will start at 1:40 PM while the individuals are slated to get started at 9:30 AM.