Sophomore Sean Crocker fired a 2-under 70 to lead the No. 4 USC men’s golf team to within a stroke of the lead after the first round of the Southern Highlands Collegiate at the Southern Highlands C.C. in Las Vegas, on Monday (March 7).

The Trojans combined for a 4-over 292, one back of first-place Arizona State and tied with Illinois and SMU. Oklahoma State is fifth at 293 with Alabama sixth at 294.

Crocker, coming off a tie for fifth last week, put together a strong opening effort with three birdies against just one bogey. Crocker is in a four-way tie for fourth, one back of a three-way tie for first.

Sophomore Jonah Texeira, after his fifth top 8 this year, and freshman Justin Suh are tied for 15th at 1-over 73. Each had three birdies on the day, including both on the par 5 3rd and 13th holes.

Junior Rico Hoey is tied for 46th at 4-over 76 while senior Andrew Levitt, coming off his first collegiate win last week at the Southwestern Jones Invitational, is tied for 56th at 5-over 76.

The Trojans will join Alabama and Oklahoma State in the second round, their first tee time at 8:50 a.m.