University of Missouri
NCAA Regional
@MizzouMensGolf in the Hunt in Murfreesboro After NCAA Day One
5/15/2017 5:21:00 PM | Men's Golf
Junior Buckley even-at-par to lead the Tigers after Day One of the College Grove Regional
COLLEGE GROVE, Tenn. - Mizzou Men's Golf was led by junior Hayden Buckley (Belden, Miss.) in the opening round of the 2017 NCAA Men's Golf Tournament, shooting even-at-par (72) to start the College Grove Regional at The Grove Club outside Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Freshman Rory Franssen (Inverness, Scotland) was not far off Buckley's initial pace, recording a 1-over-par round (73).
Head coach Mark Leroux's squad spent the regional's first day learning the odds and ends of The Grove's course, and will have work to do on the event's second day on Tuesday after landing in 11th place. However, with only three strokes separating the Tigers from climbing from 11th to seventh place, ground can be made up quickly.
Buckley was one of just seven golfers across the entire 75-person field to record an eagle during the opening round, doing so on Hole No. 2. Franssen recorded four birdies in his first round, a total that tied for second-best for the Tigers.
Leading the way with five birdies was senior Euan Walker (Troon, Scotland), who finished Day One of NCAA action at 2-over-par (74). Walker expertly handled the shorter holes at The Grove, shooting 1-under-par across the four par-3 trials.
Rounding out Mizzou's lineup were senior Linus Lilliedahl (Sandviken, Sweden) at 5-over-par (77) and sophomore Matt Echelmeier (Columbia, Mo.) at 6-over-par (78).
In the lead at the College Grove Regional after Round One is Vanderbilt at 9-under-par (279), followed by UCF at 3-under-par (285). The Tigers tee off at 8:55 a.m. CT on Tuesday to continue their postseason play.
Follow the action online at GolfStat.com on Tuesday and Wednesday as the Tigers aim to reach the 2017 NCAA Championship Finals at Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove, Illinois, from May 26-31.
For all the latest on Mizzou Men's Golf, stay tuned to MUTigers.com or follow on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook (@MizzouMensGolf).
