JR Smith 83 in collegiate golf debut

close

Video

Fox News Flash top headlines for October 12

Fox News Flash top headlines are here. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com.

Pro hooper-turned-amateur golfer JR Smith made his collegiate golfing debut on Monday. The two-time NBA champion hit the links as a walk-on member of the North Carolina A&T men’s team, competing in Elon’s Phoenix Invitational. Smith finished his two-round introduction into college tournament golf at 19-over.

Not unlike many other college newbies hitting the course for the first time, Smith had some jitters telling ESPN: "I was nervous. I was. I didn’t really know what to expect."

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Smith started slow, shooting a 12-over-par 83 in the opening round, before bouncing back with a 7-over-par 78 in the second tournament’s second round.

"He found out today that collegiate golf is not easy," said N.C. A&T coach Richard Watkins via the school’s website. "I thought he did well. We are pleased, but we are not pleased to the point of satisfaction. But I thought he had a good showing today."

Smith, 36, who hoisted the Larry O’Brien trophy as a member of the Lakers championship team exactly one year before his NCAA golf debut, birdied three times at the Phoenix Invitational. He had two birdies in the opening round and a third on a 564-yard par 5 of Monday’s second round.

"That first 18 was just to get his feet wet. Then he buckled down, and I was really pleased with what he did that second 18, because education doesn’t come cheap," added Watkins. "And I think he learned some lessons out there today."

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Following his up and down performance, Smith is now eager to hone his skills.

"It was actually a very humbling feeling," said Smith, per ESPN. "Again, I’m ready to go to that range to work on it. I had fun, but I don’t like losing,"

Smith and his Aggie teammates entered Tuesday in 11th place (out of 13 teams) prior to the morning’s third and final round.