In his season debut, junior Blake Worden is tied for first with Shane Pearce of Texas Pan-American to put the Texas A&M University-Commerce men's golf in third place after Monday's opening 36 holes of the Dustdevil Early Spring Invitational in Laredo, Texas.

The Rowlett, Texas native shot a one-under par 71 on the first 18 and came back to shoot a two-under par 70 on the second 18 for a 36-hole total of 141. Pearce shot a 76 on the first 18 and blistered the course for a seven-under par 65 on the second 18 to share the first day lead with Worden.

Worden is second in the field with nine birdies and leads the field with three-under play on par 3 holes. Joining Worden in the top 10 is junior Pinkey Hartline, who is tied for eighth along with two others after a 78 on the first 18 and a 70 on the second 18 for a 36-hole total of 148.

Lions' sophomore Brian Pearce and freshman Danny Jun are separated by one stroke, shooting a 153 (76-77) and 154 (74-80), respectively. Graduate student Andy Carter is tied for 20th after posting a 156 (80-76) to round out the A&M-Commerce lineup. Carter shot eight birdies through the first 36 holes, tied for the third most in the field.

As a team, A&M-Commerce shot a 592 (299-293) for third place after the opening day. UTPA holds an 11-stroke advantage over second place with a team total of 578 as the six-team field heads into Tuesday's final round at the Laredo Country Club.