CHOUDRANT, La. – Lamar University Zander Gous fired a blistering 8-under-par 64 in the first round of the Jim Rivers Intercollegiate on Monday en route to building a four-stroke lead after 36 holes.
 
Gous had eight birdies and one eagle in his opening round on the par-72, 7,070-yard layout at the Squire Creek Country Club. Gous' effort is tied for the third-best round in the 11-year history of the tournament.
 
Gous followed up his morning round with an even-par 72 in the afternoon to sit at 136 heading into Tuesday's final round, four strokes ahead of Western Kentucky's Billy Tom Sargent in the 75-player field.
 
"Zander played great today, especially in the first round," LU coach Jessie Mudd said. "He kept up his solid play in the second round as well."
 
Gous is seeking the second individual title of his LU career. He won the James S. Litz Invitational in February.
 
As a team, LU stands third in the 13-team field at 2-over-par 578 heading into the final round, five strokes behind Louisiana-Monroe and four strokes behind Central Arkansas. The Cardinals posted a 284 in the morning round and a 294 in the afternoon.
 
Mans Berglund of the Cardinals is tied for 10^th after a pair of even-par rounds of 72. LU teammates Eason Wang and Cody Banach are tied for 36^th at 149. Both Golfers shot a 74 in the morning and a 75 in the afternoon. LU's Clay McCrory is tied for 46^th at 152 after rounds of 75 and 77. Banach and McCrory are making their collegiate debuts this week.
 
The team as a whole played solidly," Mudd said. "The young players had some adversity early, but they responded with some birdies to fight back. We are right in the mix, which is great for the confidence and the psyche of the team."
 
Tuesday's final round is scheduled to start at 8 a.m.
 
"We're going to go out there, stick to our game plan and execute," Mudd said. "Hopefully, we'll come out on top."