LAREDO, Texas — Lamar University's men's golf team began the spring season with a bang Monday on Day 1 of the Border Olympics at the Laredo Country Club.

Behind 36 birdies, the Cardinals sit in second place (291-279—570), three strokes behind Houston.

LU holds a one-stroke lead over New Mexico State and North Texas in third place.

Rory Bennet highlighted the opening round shooting two under par (69) with three birdies and 14 pars.

He closed out the round making six straight pars.

David Schneider Jerez finished the front nine at even par with seven pars and one birdie while Nathan Woodham wrapped up the back nine at even par after making five pars and two birdies.

LU tallied 16 birdies in the opening round.

Things began to heat up for the Cardinals in the second round. Woodham shot four under par (67) with four birdies and 14 pars.

Woodham had a bogey-free second round while Schneider was error-free on the front nine.

Schneider shot two under on the front nine to finish at three under (68) with five birdies and 11 pars.

Matthew Bramford finished at two under par (69) after landing six birdies, four being made on the back nine.

Bennet went one under on the back nine making two birdies.

Fermin Martinez added to the second round tallying an eagle on the 17th hole.

The Cardinals made 20 birdies in the second round. All seven Cardinals in the competition made a par on the seventh and 10th holes.

Four Cardinals are in the top 25 on the individual leaderboard. Schneider leads the team as he is tied for eighth.

LU tallied the best team score of the second round, shooting five under par.

Wichita State's Jose Ramirez (73-63—136) leads the way with a one-stroke lead over Mitchell Maier of North Texas.

INDIVIDUAL LEADERBOARD

T8            David Schneider Jerez                73-68—141
T12         Nathan Woodham                        75-67—142
T18         Matthew Bramford                        74-69—143
T21         Rory Bennet                                 69-75—144
T66         Filip Widepalm (Ind.)                    75-77—152
T71         Fermin Martinez                           78-77—155
74            Truls Andersson (Ind.)                 80-79—159      

UP NEXT

Second round action continues Tuesday at 8 a.m.