The University of Colorado men’s golf team faced difficult conditions in the opening round of the 26th Annual “The Prestige at PGA West” tournament in La Quinta, California. Heavy rain and gusty winds affected teams that began play in the afternoon, including Colorado, which finished the first round in 21st place with a team score of 19-over-par 303.
Oregon State led after day one with a score of 9-under-par 275, boosted by playing their round during better weather in the morning. Oregon and UNC-Wilmington followed in second and third place, respectively. Of the top teams on Monday, most teed off before weather conditions worsened. The average stroke for morning players was three shots lower than those who played later.
Colorado’s performance ended its streak of ten consecutive rounds under par from the previous season. Senior Hunter Swanson led the Buffaloes with a steady round of 1-over-par 72, placing him tied for 31st individually. He recorded two birdies and thirteen pars over his round. Junior Brandon Knight and graduate transfer Jackson Rivera each shot a 5-over-par 76 to tie for 86th place.
Coach Roy Edwards commented on the team’s struggles: “Tough day and obviously not how we wanted or expected to open the spring season,” he said. “We had a particularly challenging time dealing with the wind and rain when it moved in. Only a third of the way through the tournament and have a quick turnaround with an opportunity to get back in it in the morning tomorrow.”
Other Colorado golfers included Ty Holbrook (8-over-par 79) and Parker Paxton (9-over-par 80), whose run of fifteen straight rounds at par or better came to an end.
Individually, Oregon State’s Rylan Johnson posted a leading score of five-under-par 66 for a two-shot advantage over four other players.
Sophomore Michael Fang represented Colorado as an individual competitor at The Prestige Individual event at Terra Lago Golf Club, carding a three-over-par 75 to tie for eighteenth place after one round.
The second round is scheduled for Tuesday morning, with Colorado grouped alongside Northwestern and UC Davis starting from hole ten.
The field consists of twenty-four teams competing across three days on PGA West’s Greg Norman Course.
