Punahou alum Alex Ching is one shot off the lead after today's first round of the NCAA Men's Championship, being played at The Honors Course just outside Chattanooga, Tenn.

Ching, a sophomore for University of San Diego, shot 3-under-par 69 and shares third. The leaders are Jesper Kennegard, from Arizona State, and Henrik Norlander, from Augusta State, at 68.

The 25th-ranked Toreros share 16th with UNLV, UCLA and Baylor with a team score of 6-over-par 294. Oklahoma State and Florida State are tied for first at 283.

Ching tied for 13th at the nationals as a freshman. He had four birdies and a bogey yesterday.

Following 54 holes of stroke play, the top eight teams advance to match play starting Friday.