Florida Gators
Puerto Rico Classic
Butler Leads No. 1 Men's Golf In Puerto Rico
Monday, February 23, 2004 | Men's Golf
Junior Duke Butler IV (Ponte Vedra, Fla.) shot a career best 70 in helping No. 1 Florida to fifth place after the first round at the Puerto Rico Classic at the Western Rio Mar Country Club Sunday afternoon.
The Gators shot a first round 289 (+1) and are eight shots back of defending national champion Clemson, which holds the lead entering the second round after carding a 281 (-7) at the par 72, 6,931-yard course. Oklahoma was second (283), followed by Minnesota (288) and Texas (288), which were in a tie for third.
"We played okay today," Florida coach Buddy Alexander said. "We've got some work cut out for us. We're not out of it and I feel good about how we'll play tomorrow. We'll see if we can get in the middle of things."
Butler will enter the second round four strokes back of Jason Hartwick of Texas, who carded a six-under 66 in the first round.
Sophomore Brett Stegmaier (Madison, Conn.) stands in a tie for 15th after shooting an even par 72 on the first day. Sophomore Matt Every (Daytona Beach, Fla.) is eight shots back of the lead after collecting a 73 (+1). Senior Camilo Villegas (Medellin, Colombia) is tied for 36th after a two-over 74, while freshman Jessie Mudd (Louisville, Ky.) rounded out the Florida players with a 77 (+5) and is tied for 66th.
Play at the Puerto Rico classic continues with the second round on Monday. Results can be found at www.purduesports.com
TEAM STANDINGS
| Place | Team | 1st Round | Over/Under Par |
| 1. | Clemson | 281 | -7 |
| 2. | Oklahoma | 283 | -5 |
| T3. | Minnesota | 288 | E |
| T3. | Texas | 288 | E |
| 5. | Florida | 289 | +1 |
| 6. | Georgia | 290 | +2 |
| T7. | Oklahoma State | 292 | +4 |
| T7. | Virginia | 292 | +4 |
| T9. | Kent State | 293 | +5 |
| T9. | North Carolina State | 293 | +5 |
| 11. | Virginia Tech | 295 | +7 |
| 12. | Georgia Tech | 296 | +8 |
| T13. | Purdue | 300 | +12 |
| T13. | Duke | 300 | +12 |
| 15. | East Tennessee State | 304 | +16 |
| T16. | Illinois | 306 | +18 |
| T16. | Northwestern | 306 | +18 |
| 18. | Michigan | 319 | +31 |
FLORIDA RESULTS
| Place | Player | 1st Round | Over/Under Par |
| T5. | Duke Butler IV | 70 | -2 |
| T15. | Brett Stegmaier | 72 | E |
| T29. | Matt Every | 73 | +1 |
| T36. | Camilo Villegas | 74 | +2 |
| T66. | Jessie Mudd | 77 | +5 |
