MESA, Ariz. - South Dakota set the early pace at the Summit League Men’s Golf Championship, finishing even par as the only team at or below par after the opening round at Longbow Golf Club.
The Coyotes carded a 284 (E) on the par-71 layout to take a two-shot lead over North Dakota State.
On the individual leaderboard, South Dakota’s Parker Etzel is part of a four-way tie for the lead after firing a 68 (-3). The junior’s joined atop the standings by North Dakota State’s Andrew Ballou, Denver’s Jet Hernandez and St. Thomas’ Owen Rexing, giving four different golfers a share of the early individual lead.
North Dakota State sits in second at 286 (+2) and also placed multiple players near the top, led by Ballou’s 68. The Bison added another steady round from Carter White, who shot a 72 (+1), while teammates Jake Skarperud and Rylin Petry are within striking distance after both registered a 73 (+2).
Denver and Kansas City are tied for third at 288 (+4), each four shots back. Hernandez paced the Pioneers with his 68, while Kansas City countered with junior Harry Bent who sits just one shot back at 70 (-1) to stay in the mix.
Omaha’s Spencer Clatt turned in one of the better rounds of the day with a 69 (-2), putting him alone in fifth and helping the Mavericks land in a three-way tie for fifth at 289 (+5) alongside South Dakota State and St. Thomas.
A group of three sits just behind the leaders at 70 (-1), including Oral Roberts’ Gustav Liljeberg and South Dakota's Jack Holtz, as the depth of the field showed with eight players carding a 72 (+1) and another three with even-par scores of 71.
South Dakota State, St. Thomas and Omaha are all within five shots of the lead, while Oral Roberts (292; +8) and North Dakota (295; +11) round out the standings.
With four players tied atop the leaderboard and just five strokes separating the top seven teams, the tournament is set up for plenty of movement heading into Monday’s second round.
Team Standings
1. South Dakota (284; E)
2. North Dakota State (286; +2)
t3. Denver (288; +4)
t3. Kansas City (288; +4)
t5. South Dakota State (289; +5)
t5. St. Thomas (289; +5)
t5. Omaha (289; +5)
8. Oral Roberts (292; +8)
9. North Dakota (295; +11)
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