By KEVIN WUZZARDO
Staff Writer

On Tuesday night, men’s golf team freshman Ryuji Imada found himself in a South Carolina hospital with a concussion following a freak golf cart accident.

"I was just messing around coming back from dinner," Imada said. "This guy from Auburn was driving, and he went to make a turn, and I fell out backwards and hit my head."

On Thursday, Imada fired a 2-under-par 70 to help lead Georgia to a fourth-place tie after the first round of the NCAA East Regional golf tournament at Daufuskie Island, S.C.

"There was nothing wrong with me," Imada said. "My neck is still sore, but I’m playable. I’m playing all right."

The Bulldogs scorched the Melrose Club course for a team score of 3-under-par 285. Georgia is tied with Southeast Louisiana, at five strokes off the lead held by Clemson. The top 11 teams in the regional qualify for the NCAA Championships in Albuquerque, N.M., on May 27-30.

Imada recorded the best individual score for Georgia. He is tied for seventh place, six strokes behind U.S. Amateur Champion Matt Kuchar, of Georgia Tech, who shot an 8-under 64.

After a shaky start, Georgia made the turn at even par, and was in line to finish in second place. However, junior Jeremy Parrott shot a double-bogey seven on the final hole, leaving Georgia one shot behind Florida and Georgia Tech, who were tied for second.

Other Bulldogs had similar problems to start the tournament. Junior Mark Northey was 2 over after five holes and freshman David Miller bogeyed his first two holes. Both players battled back to finish with an even-par 72, tied for 23rd place. Sophomore Michael Morrison shot a double bogey on the first hole, and finished 2 over par, tied for 50th place. Parrott finished the day one under par, tied for 12th place.

"We played solid," Imada said. "Hopefully we can play a little better, but if we keep playing like we’ve been playing, we should be up there."

Clemson has a four-stroke lead over the field with Florida and Georgia Tech tied for second, followed by Georgia and Southeast Louisiana tied for fourth.

Tournament host South Carolina is in sixth place with a score of 286, Auburn is seventh at 287, North Carolina State is eighth at 289 and Augusta State is ninth at 290. East Tennessee State, LSU and Florida State are all tied for 10th place at 293.

The tournament continues today and Saturday.