March 4, 2006

ORLANDO, Fla. - Freshman Justin Harding leads individually and Lamar University leads the 15-team following Saturday's first two rounds at the Orange County National Xavier Invitational.

Harding, a native of Cape Town, South Africa, posted consecutive rounds of 4-under par 68 for a 36-hole score of 8-under par 136 on the 7,277-yard course. Jorge Campillo of Indiana University is second with a 36-hole score of 70-68--138.

Lamar shot an opening round 17-under par 271 and followed with a 9-under 279 for a 36-hole total of 26-under 550. Eastern Michigan is second at 572, followed by Xavier at 573.

Freshman Andrew Landry, a native of Port Neches, is in third place. He fired an opening round of 5-under 67 in the morning and followed an even-par 72 for a 36-hole score 139. Dusty Smith, a junior from The Woodlands, held the first round lead following a 7-under 65. He slipped to a 75 in the afternoon and is tied for fourth place at 140.

Sophomores Dawie Van Der Walt and Casey Clendenon are tied for ninth place at 2-under 142. Van Der Walt, a native of Cape Town, South Africa, shot consecutive rounds of 1-under 71. Clendenon, a native of Katy, opened with a 2-over 74 in the morning and fired a 4-under 68 in the afternoon.

The tournament concludes today with the final 18 holes beginning with tee times at 8 a.m.