Western Kentucky’s Billy Tom Sargent is one stroke out of the lead after a strong opening day Friday at Houston’s Border Olympics, while the Hilltopper men’s golf team is poised to make a push in the final round after a promising collective start.

Sargent, a redshirt junior, fired a 7-under total of 137 (67-70) over the first two rounds at the par-72, 7,125-yard Laredo Country Club.

That ties his career low for 36 holes.

Sargent opened play with a 67 in the first round, carding five birdies with no bogeys. The 67 ties his season low for a round, and he has five rounds of 69 or better in his last eight opportunities.

He’s just one shot behind Sam Houston State’s Camden DeBonis and William Holcomb going into Saturday’s final round, which begins at 8 a.m. CT.

The Hilltoppers are in 11th place in the 17-team field with a 1-over 577 (286-291) tally, but they’re just 10 strokes behind the leader, Arkansas State.

Junior Stuart Easton is tied for 62nd with a 148 (74-74) total. Redshirt sophomore Linus Lo (73-76-149), sophomore Tom Bevington (72-78-150) and freshman Crimson Callahan (80-71-151) are right behind him.