MARICOPA, Ariz. – Two top-10 finishes from Mattingly Palmer and Matilda Svahn paced the Bobcats to tie for fifth on the opening day of the inaugural National Golf Invitational (NGI) at the Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club on Friday. 
 
Texas State shot six-over 294 and tied for fifth with Western Carolina in the first round of the NGI. This is the second 18-hole opening round of 294 this season for the Bobcats. Through the first round, Texas State is second in birdies with 14, behind Iowa with 15.
 
Penn State leads the field of 10 teams after finishing the day even. 
 
After one round, Mattingly Palmer sits atop of the Texas State lineup tied for seventh as the only Bobcat to finish under-par. Matilda Svahn is tied for ninth after going even on the course and is tied with Junia Gabasa for the three birdies today, the most among Texas State. 
 
Yvonne Chamness tied for 22^nd three-over par after opening the postseason tournament with a double-bogey and ending with two birdies on the back nine. While Gabasa co-led in birdies in the Bobcat lineup, she had seven bogeys that landed her inside the top-30 tied for 29^th four-over.
 
Marine Griffaut rounds out the five players for Texas State tied for 36^th after shooting five-over 77. This is Griffaut's fourth round of 77 this season. 
 
TXST in the Standings
T-7. Mattingly Palmer (71; -1)
T-9. Matilda Svahn (72; E)
T-22. Yvonne Chamness (75; +3)
T-29. Junia Gabasa (76; +4)
T-36. Marine Griffaut (77; +5)
 
For the second round of the NGI, Texas State will tee off at 10:40 a.m. CT and will be paired with Mercer and Western Carolina. 
 
Live results are available at Golfstat.com