RIO GRANDE, Puerto Rico (Feburary 22, 2016) -- Alabama is looking to start the spring season off with a win in a wire-to-wire fashion at the Puerto Rico Classic.

The Crimson Tide sit one-shot clear of the Georgia Bulldogs and Clemson Tigers and two-clear of North Carolina. Alabama sophomore Johnathan Hardee leads the Tide and the field after rounds of 67 and 70 for a 7-under par total. Junior Robbie Shelton fired another round of 70 and sits in a tie for 8th.

The Tide are going for their 3rd consecutive win of the 2015-16 season.

FIRST ROUND STORY

Making their first start of the spring season, Alabama came out firing with a 12-under par 276 to take a two-stroke lead over North Carolina in the first round of the Puerto Rico Classic.

Alabama was lead by sophomore Johnathan Hardee who's opening 67 leads the field. Freshman Davis Riley also played exceptionally well, opening with 68 which puts him tied for 2nd with North Carolina's Carter Jenkins and Georgia Tech's Jacob Joiner.

In addition, Alabama junior Robbie Shelton opened with a solid 2-under 70. Shelton is the highest ranked amateur in the field (#4 Golfweek/ amateurgolf.com ranking) and worth keeping an eye on in the next two rounds.

Oklahoma, Clemson, and Georgia round out the top 5, all within 10 shots of Alabama's lead.

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