ST. GEORGE, Utah – Junior Josh Pehrson shot a career-low-tying 6-under 66 to lead Utah State's golf team on Day 1 of the Pizza Hut/Pat Hicks Thunderbird Invitational on Friday at Sunbrook Golf Course.
 
The Aggies are in first place after shooting a 10-under 278, which ranks ninth all-time in program history for a team 18-hole low round, on the par-72, 6,781-yard course.
 
"It was a good start to a three-day tournament that you can't win on Day 1," said longtime Utah State head coach Dean Johansen. "We put ourselves in a good position going into Day 2. Josh took advantage of some good breaks and was very solid throughout his first round. I am very happy with everyone's first round of our spring season."
 
Utah Valley is in second place at 8-under 280 and Utah Tech is in third at 3-under 285. A pair of Texas schools, Tarleton State (287, -1) and Stephen F. Austin (289, +1) rounded out the top five.
 
Pehrson was one of three Aggies to find himself in the top 10 at the end of the day. Junior John Cook is tied for fourth at 3-under 68 and sophomore Julio Arronte Sanchez, playing as an individual, is tied for sixth after firing a career-low 2-under 70.
 
"It was fun to see our team play well," Pehrson said. "We have a great group of guys on this team and I am confident we can continue to perform at the level we want. I think we will surprise a lot of people this spring."
 
Javier Vazquez also shot under par on Friday as the junior carded a 1-under 71. Sophomore Esteban Jaramillo shot an even-par 72 and is tied for 17th, while fellow sophomore Luis Gerardo Cantu is tied for 48th at 5-over 77. Sophomore Nathan Preslar, playing as an individual, also opened with a 77.
 
Tarleton State's Jack Anderson is the clubhouse leader at 7-under 65.
 
Pehrson had four birdies and one eagle during his round, while Vazquez also had an eagle.
 
"It was great to get out and compete again," Pehrson said. "My game has felt good coming into this week, so I was confident I could play well, especially at a golf course I'm very familiar with. I was able to get off to a really hot start, so that helped settle me into the round and get some good momentum going."
The second round of the tournament also features 18 holes and will take place Saturday.
 
For more information on the Utah State golf program, follow the Aggies on Twitter at @USUMensGolf, on Facebook at USUMensGolf and on Instagram at USUGolf.

Pizza Hut/Pat Hicks Thunderbird Invitational
Date: Feb. 10-12
Host Course: Sunbrook Golf Course
Par: 72
Yardage: 6,781
Live Scoring: www.golfstat.com

TEAM RESULTS
1. UTAH STATE – 278 (-10)
2. Utah Valley – 280 (-8)
3. Utah Tech – 285 (-3)
4. Tarleton State – 287 (-1)
5. Stephen F. Austin – 289 (+1)
 
INDIVIDUAL RESULTS
1. Jack Anderson, TSU – 65 (-7)
2. Josh Pehrson, USU – 66 (-6)
3. Brady McKinlay, UVU – 68 (-4)
T4. John Cook, USU – 69 (-3)
T4. Alex Brown, SFA – 69 (-3)
 
UTAH STATE INDIVIDUAL RESULTS
2. Josh Pehrson – 66 (-6)
T4. John Cook – 69 (-3)
T6. Julio Arronte Sanchez* – 70 (-2)
T13. Javier Vazquez – 71 (-1)
T17. Esteban Jaramillo – 72 (E)
T48. Luis Gerardo Cantu – 77 (+5)
T48. Nathan Preslar* – 77 (+5)
 
* = Playing as an individual
 
-USU-