In his opening round after a five-month layoff, Central College’s Kayden Pendergrass fired a career-best 69 and is tied for fifth after 36 holes at the FST Pinecrest Invitational Monday.

Under sunny skies with temperatures climbing into the mid-70s, Pendergrass came back with a 76 in the afternoon round for 68-76–144. Central shot a 294-305–599 in the spring season opener and is sixth in the team standings of the 12-team tourney. In an unusual format, teams are playing with six-man lineups rather than the traditional five, but still count only the low four rounds for team scores. Crew Klingner was next for Central at 77-75–152, tied for 29th. Blake Wynn is tied for 31st (74-79–153), Carter Yurgae is 35th,  (75-79–154), Ethan Gordon is tied for 38th (81-75–156) and Maison Brandt tied for 53rd (81-82–163). At-large entrants Cooper Langfelt shot 84-84-168 and Andy McEvoy had 104-95-199.

The 54-hole tournament concludes Tuesday as the Dutch tee off at 8 a.m. at the par-72 Pinecrest Country Club.