Florida Opens NCAA Regional With 12-Stroke Lead, Largest First-Round Margin in Program History
Updated
Updated · Golfweek · May 18
Florida Opens NCAA Regional With 12-Stroke Lead, Largest First-Round Margin in Program History
8 articles · Updated · Golfweek · May 18
Florida shot 7-under in Columbus to seize a 12-stroke lead over Memphis after the first round, the Gators' largest opening-round advantage in NCAA Regional history.
Parker Sands fired 5-under to lead the individual race by three shots, while Jack Turner sat solo second and Luke Poulter and Matthew Kress were tied for third.
That start put Florida in strong position to claim one of five team berths from the Columbus regional to the NCAA championship in Carlsbad, California, on May 29-June 3.
The race behind the Gators remains tight: second-place Memphis and fifth-place Illinois State are among teams trying to hold top-five spots, with only 11 shots separating second from last.
How does the pressure of a pro career through PGA TOUR University impact players in the NCAA postseason?
With some teams dominating, where are the real down-to-the-wire battles for the final championship qualifying spots?
Can the world's top amateur, Jackson Koivun, overcome illness to lead his powerhouse team to the championship?