Inexperience and mental mistakes plagued the Bobcats on day one of the Marshall Invitational as Ohio finished in last place after two rounds.

Sophomore Byron Firestone is Ohio’s highest finishing player after 36 holes, as he shot an even-par 142, which tied him for 36th. Ohio coach Bob Cooley said he was pleased with Firestone’s performance but hopes that the putting and chipping practice after yesterday’s rounds will help the entire team today.

“We worked on (the short game) after the rounds today, so we were out there all day,” Cooley said. “We just need to learn to chip and putt a little better.”

Junior Paul Grauer finished second for Ohio with a 2-over-par 144. Sophomore Brad Lucas shot a 7-over-par 149, and junior John Mlynarski shot a 9-over-par 151. Senior Chuck Nettles shot a 1-over-par 72 on the first 18 holes but was 10 shots worse on the second round and finished with a 12-over-par 154.

“Grauer was hitting the ball fine and chipped up to three feet away and then three-putted,” Cooley said. “But you know everybody had those problems… It’s not an excuse, you know with our young kids we just really struggled putting.”

The Bobcats finished the first 18 holes in last place also, as they shot a 6-over-par 290.

Ohio State U. leads the 15-team tournament after day one with a 21-under-par 547. Xavier’s Sebastian MacLean leads in individual scoring after he shot a 10-under-par 132.

Xaiver is in second place, nine shots behind Ohio State. Miami, Eastern Kentucky and host Marshall round out the top five. The tournament concludes today with the final 18 holes.