The Longhorns used six birdies over the final two holes to finish in third place in the first round of the Amer Ari Invitational on Wednesday in Kona, Hawaii. Birdies by senior Cody Gribble and juniors Toni Hakula and Brax McCarthy at the end of their rounds helped Texas finish with a 9-under 279.

Both Gribble and freshman Brandon Stone shot a 3-under 69, placing them at a tie for 10th individually so far. Hakula finished one stroke behind them with a 2-under 70 and is tied for 14th.

Stone got off to a fast start to the tournament with a birdie on the second hole and an eagle on the fourth. His round after that point was quiet, tallying another birdie and an eagle.

Gribble, on the other hand, had a steadier round. After making par on the first three holes, Gribble birdied the fourth hole before a bogey on the sixth. He birdied the ninth and the 17th and 18th to end his day.

TCU and UCLA finished the first round tied for the lead, each shooting an 11-under 277. TCU’s Daniel Jennevret’s 5-under 67 put him first individually.

Texas, the defending national champion, will begin its second round Thursday at 11:30 a.m.