FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – UNCW senior Thomas Bass carded an even round 72 and is tied for 11th overall to lead the Seahawks, who are in eighth-place following the first round of the NCAA Fayetteville Regional at the Blessing Golf Course on Thursday.
Illinois, ranked 33rd nationally, leads the 14-team field by three strokes over defending champion Texas, which was ranked fourth entering the regional. Oklahoma State is third, just a stroke behind the Longhorns.
Illinois’ Charlie Danielson carded a seven-under-par 65 in the opening round to built a two-stroke lead over 25th-ranked Corey Connors of Kent State and Oklahoma State’s Jordan Niebrugge.
Joining Bass in the top-25 for the Seahawks were juniors Stefan Brewer and Ryan Nagy, who both posted scores of two-over-74 and are tied for 25th.
The second round begins at 8 a.m. for the Seahawks with Josh Woodfox teeing off at the 10th hole. UNCW will be paired with seventh-place SMU and 9th-place Liberty.
The Seahawks trail host Arkansas by 10 strokes for the final spot which will advance to the NCAA Championships.
UNCW Results: T11. Thomas Bass 72; T25. Stefan Brewer 74; T25. Ryan Nagy 74; T60. Payne McLeod 80; 69. Josh Woodfox 82.
Team Standings: Illinois 282; Texas 285; Oklahoma State 286; Kent State 288; Arkansas 290; Colorado 292; SMU 297; UNCW 300; Liberty 303; Tulsa 303; UMKC 303; Kentucky 304; Indiana 307; Alabama State 313.
Individual Standings: 1. Charlie Danielson (Ill) 65; T2. Jordan Niebrugge (Ok. State) 67; T2. Corey Connors (Kent St.) 67; 4. Thomas Detry (Ill) 68; T5. Toni Hakula (Texas) 69; T5. Mitchell LeCroy (Stephen F. Austin); T7. Cody Gribble (Texas) 70; T7. Mario Clemens (SMU) 70; T9. Taylor Pendrith (Kent St.) 71; T9. David Oraee (Colorado) 71.