April 6, 2001

PUERTO VALLARTA, Mexico - Scott Lander is just three strokes off the individual lead after a shooting an opening-round 71 at the Ford U.S. Collegiate Championships on Friday.

Lander, who has three straight top-20 finishes, sits tied for seventh overall, just off the pace set by Georgia's Nick Cassini and Arizona State's Matt Jones.

The one-under par round by Lander, however, was the only sub-par for the struggling Rebels, who carded a team round of 297, nine strokes over par. UNLV is in ninth place, but well within striking distance of the pack. Aside from Georgia's 284, all other teams were over par on the Vista Vallarta Golf Course.

The Rebels' Brandon Askew continues to perform well since breaking into the lineup. He shot a two-over 74 and is tied for 27th overall.

James Oh and Brett Foulds both finished the first round at four-over, tied for 36th overall. Calvin Kupeyan's eight-over 80 did not figure into the team score.

The Rebels will continue play on Saturday morning at 9:20 a.m. at Vista Vallarta Golf Course.