KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The Mizzou men’s golf team got off to a strong start to the 2026-27 season on Monday, finishing the second of three rounds in seventh place (of 16 teams) at the Visit Knoxville Collegiate.

Junior Trent Mierl led the Tigers in the season opener, carding a 36-hole tally of two-under. After a first-round score of 71, Mierl finished with a three-under 67 during the second round of play – anchored by nine birdies over the 36 holes of play, including five in the second 18. Overall, Mierl enters the final round in 18th place of 96 golfers.

A pair of Tigers are tied for second on the team with senior Veikka Viskari and freshman Antoni Hawkins tied at even par. Viskari posted a two-over 72 in the first round before following up with a two-under 68 in the second round, while Hawkins made his collegiate debut with back-to-back 70s to finish even par.

Junior Paxton Maxwell also made his Mizzou debut and rounded out the scoring for the Tigers with a one-over performance (71-70).

In a tournament that includes 12 power-conference schools and seven SEC teams, Mizzou enters the final round in a tie for seventh place with a team score of -1. The Tigers posted a four-over tally of 284 in the opening round before responding with a five-under 275 in the second 18 holes of play.

The final day of action is set to tee off at 7:20 a.m. CT on Tuesday morning.