After the opening round at the Tavistock Collegiate Invitational, a coveted college event played at Isleworth Country Club in Windermere, Fla., the home team is setting the pace. The University of Central Florida opened with an 8-under 280, which included sub-70 rounds from Johnny Travale and Jordan Sarhaddi.

UCF jumped out to a five-shot lead over Florida, the only other in-state school in the field thanks to the underclassmen. Freshman Sarhaddi, making his third start with the team, had a bogey-free 68 while sophomore Travale made five birdies and a double-bogey for his 3-under 69. Travale has led the Knights in two of this season’s three tournaments.

So far this season, UCF has finished in the top 5 in each of three starts and won the Hartford Hawks Invitational last month.

As for Florida, the Gators could use a strong week near home in Orlando. In three fall starts so far – albeit in deep fields – Florida has finished 10th, seventh and 13th.

"It was nice to get off to a good start at Isleworth," Florida head coach J.C. Deacon said. "They guys were able to take all the good golf we have been playing at home in qualifying and have it translate on the road. We've been putting in the work and we got rewarded for it today."

LSU and California are tied for third at 1-under 287 after Sunday’s opening round. Minnesota rounds out the top 5 at even par followed by Texas in sixth.

Cal’s Finigan Tilly and UNLV’s Jack Trent posted rounds of 5-under 67 for the individual lead.

Quotes from Florida Athletics used in this report

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