NICHOLASVILLE, Ky. --The Southwestern University Pirates men's golf team finished the first round of the NCAA Division III Championship in 12th out of the 42-team field, finishing a collective 14-over par with a combined team score of 302. Competing as an individual, Colin Uecker of Texas Lutheran is tied for 41st, after firing an opening round 3-over score of 75.
Matthew Christl paced the Pirates, scoring a 73 through the first 18 holes to finish one over par, tied for 20th. Starting from the first hole, Christl birdied the par-4 third hole to drop to one under par, but followed with bogies six and seven to finish the front nine one over. The senior finished the back nine with an even par 36 with a bogey on 11 and a birdie on 15.
Teammate Cade Osgood finished two strokes behind Christl with a 3-over 75 to finish tied for 41st over the 216-player field.
Osgood started strong, recording two birdies and an eagle to shoot a 2-under 34 on the front nine. However, Osgood closed the back nine with two bogies and a triple bogey to finish with a 75.
Southwestern’s John Kellum posted three birdies en route to finishing tied for 60th with a round of 76. Deven Horne currently sits in a tie for 93rd with an opening round 78, while Sutherland Stith’s round of 81 positions him in a tie for 140th.
Uecker, the second TLU Bulldog to compete at the NCAA Championships since 2015, after earning one of six individual bids to the tournament registered two front nine birdies to shoots 1-over 37 on his opening nine. The senior got back to even par following a birdie at 17, but a triple bogey on the final hole led to his 3-over round of 75.
Illinois Wesleyan currently leads the field with a team score of 287, while Williams’ Sam Goldenring currently sits atop the individual leaderboard, at 3-under par after firing a 69.
Southwestern will resume play today at 11:50 a.m. on hole 10, paired with Otterbein University and Trinity College (CT) while Uecker tees off for round two at 12:40 CT.