After a disappointing 11th place finish at the Pac-12 Championships in April, the University of Colorado Men’s Golf team leads the NCAA Central/Noblesville Regional by eight strokes over Southern Methodist and Golfweek No. 1 Illinois after one round.
The Buffs (Golfweek No. 48), Mustangs and Illini were the only schools in the 14-team field to card team rounds under par at The Sagamore Club in Noblesville, Indiana. CU’s 11-under 277 was their lowest team score since October and the best team round in the school’s NCAA history. It is also the first time Colorado has led any round of a NCAA Regional competition, a first in 19 appearances.
Senior David Oraee and sophomore Jeremy Paul both finished at 4-under to share the individual lead, along with SMU’s Benjamin Baxter. Sophomore Yannik Paul, junior Philip Juel-Berg and junior Drew Trujillo had rounds of 70, 71 and 85, respectively.
Play continues at The Sagamore Club on Friday and Saturday. The low five teams and the low individual not on those teams from each regional will advance to the Championships in Bradenton, Florida.