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URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) – Illinois men’s golf holds a two stroke lead in its Urbana Regional after Monday’s opening round.
The Illini’s four scoring golfers shot a combined seven under par to lead the field. Texas Tech is in second place after the first day at -5, while UNLV shot -3 to round out the top three.
The hosts special first day was headlined by an Atkins Golf Club course record from senior Jackson Buchanan. He finished the round at nine under par, going all day without a bogey.
“His short game is pretty solid,” Illinois head men’s golf coach Mike Small said of Buchanan. “He really grinds it around. Today he struck it very solid, kept the ball in play and controlled the height of his ball which controls the distance of the ball. Placed it correctly on the parts of the greens and he made some birdies. Made a lot of birdies which was huge. And he can putt. When he gets going it’s fun to watch.”
It was nine birdies and nine pars for Buchanan on the course he’s played countless times.
“Just a little more confident,” Buchanan said. “It’s kind of been a long semester and I haven’t had the most confidence but I just brought a presence. I think I’m one of the best players here so just really believing that deep down and enjoying myself out there.”
Buchanan mentioned the benefit of knowing the course well. He and other Illinois golfers also reaped the reward of fan support in the first day of their home tournament.
“It was cool that they’re all cheering for you,” Buchanan said. “It’s a cooler vibe, it’s a cooler vibe. It brings the energy and it’ll be even more fun the next few days.”
Illinois fans old and young flocked to Atkins to show support.
“It’s such an honor to have it here in Champaign-Urbana,” Illini fan Laura Grenda, who hosted a tailgate near the 11th hole, said. “We haven’t had it in years and we’re both super excited. We’re both former Illini so we’re like ‘Go Illini.'”
Some fans had added rooting interest as the solid day for the Orange and Blue served as a late Mother’s Day gift for Illini moms.
“It’s so awesome to be here and see all the Illini fans and for them to play at home,” Mandy Birdwell, mother of Illini freshman Jake Birdwell, said. “They’re just so fun to watch- no matter where we watch them but it’s really fun to be here.”
“Sunday was their practice round so we came out here and went shopping in the pro shop and saw the team come in at six and I got some hugs from more than my kids and passed them along to the Mothers that couldn’t be here,” Jesse Smith, mother of Illini junior Ryan Voois, said.
Illini results
Jackson Buchanan, -8, first place
Ryan Voois, -1, T-15th place
Max Herendeen, E, T-19th place
Jake Birdwell, +2, T-33rd place
Ethan Wilson, +6, T-75th place
Only the top four finishers from each team see their scores count toward the team total.
Tee times are out for round two which shows a lineup change for Illinois. Trey Marrion will replace Wilson.
Illinois tees off with the first groups again on Tuesday. All five Illini golfers will start between 8:00 and 8:45 in the second round.
The tournament’s final round is scheduled for Wednesday. The top five teams advance to NCAA Nationals.
Notably, the top two seeds entering the tournament both had rough opening rounds. Oklahoma State, ranked No. 2 in the country, sits in seventh place after the first day. North Carolina, the regional’s second seed, is in 11th.
TEAM RESULTS:
- Illinois, -7
- Texas Tech, -5
- UNLV, -3
- Troy, -1
- Marquette, +1
- Long Beach State, +1
- Oklahoma State, +2
- Illinois State, +5
- Pacific, +6
- NC State, +7
- North Carolina, +8
- Houston, +11
- Wright State, +15
