RICHLAND, Wash. -- The Montana Tech men's golf team played to a 27-over-par 312 Sunday in the opening round of the Columbia Basin Invitational and sits only nine strokes out of first midway through the tournament. 

Tech's men occupy fourth place in the eight-team standings, but the Orediggers are just nine strokes off first-place Southwestern Oregon after a trip around the par-72 Meadow Springs Country Club. 

Christian Lund, playing as an individual, was the low Oredigger on the day. The freshman sits tied for fifth after his opening-round 76. 

Joe McGreevey led the way for the scoring Orediggers a stroke behind at 5-over 77 in a tie for sixth. Carson Hupka came in a stroke behind McGreevey, and Tyler Avery finished a shot back of Hupka. Landon Olson rounded out the scoring for Tech with his 9-over-par 81. 

Montana Tech will look to finish the Columbia Basin Invitational strong Monday with the deciding second round. 

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