GRANITEVILLE, SC (April 22, 2016) - Austin Eckroat (-9) followed up his first round 65 with a second round 2-under 70 at the Junior Invitational at Sage Valley presented by Electrolux. Eckroat has extended his lead to five-strokes over a talented Junior field at Sage Valley Golf Club.

The future Oklahoma State golfer from Edmond, OK was able to widen his lead thanks to a three birdie, one bogey round.

Eckroat will lead a trio of golfers tied for second at 4-under. The second place group is comprised of future LSU Tiger Garrett Barber (Stuart, FL), Clemson commit Doc Redman (Raleigh, NC) and Norman Xiong (Canyon Lake, CA) an Oregon signee.

Davis Shore (Knoxville, TN) concludes the top-5 sitting in solo fifth at 3-under. Shore is committed to Alabama.

ROUND ONE RECAP

Some of the best junior golfers from around the world are on hand for the Junior Invitational at Sage Valley presented by Electrolux and the cream has risen to the top. Oklahoma State commit Austin Eckroat (-7) currently resides in first place leading by three over Oregon commit Norman Xiong (-4). Garrett Barber (-3) who will head to LSU is in third.

Eckroat of Edmond, OK fired an opening 65 to take the first round lead. After a first hole bogey Eckroat played splendid golf the rest of the day. His first birdie came on the fourth, it was the first of eight in the round for the future Poke.

Xiong, the Oregon commit, shot an opening 68 as he carded seven birdies and three bogeys. From holes 4-6 Xiong birdied three straight.

Garrett Barber who shot a 69 had an interesting looking first round scorecard. Barber started off the day blazing and was 6-under through 13 holes following a birdie on No. 13. Things then went quickly south for the future LSU Tiger as he triple-bogeyed No. 14 to fall back to 3-under.

Barber would go on to close out his round with four straight pars. Overall Barber had an eagle, five birdies, a bogey and the unfortunate triple-bogey.

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