The No. 2 LSU men's golf team shot a 14-under-par 274 to finish third after the first round of the Puerto Rico Classic. Despite missing star player Árni Sveinsson due to illness, junior Noah McWilliams led the Tigers with a six-under 66. The tournament is being played at the Grand Reserve Golf Course in Rio Grande, Puerto Rico.
The Puerto Rico Classic got underway on Monday at the par-72, 7,152-yard Grand Reserve Golf Course in Rio Grande, Puerto Rico. The No. 2-ranked LSU men's golf team navigated an unexpected challenge by posting a strong 14-under-274 total, securing third place on the leaderboard.
Prior to the round, LSU learned that star Árni Sveinsson would be sidelined by sickness. This prompted freshman Hudson Lawson, who had traveled as an individual, to step into the team lineup. The adjustment did not disrupt the Tigers' performance.
Junior Noah McWilliams from Benton, Louisiana, anchored the effort with a standout six-under 66, tying for second place. He carded seven birdies across the 18 holes, opening the spring season on a high note.
Supporting McWilliams, senior Jay Mendell and freshman Dan Hayes each shot three-under 69s to tie for 25th. Mendell's round featured four birdies and just one bogey for a balanced showing. Hayes exploded on the front nine with five birdies but encountered two bogeys on the back side.
Lawson adapted quickly in his team debut, firing a two-under 70 to tie for 33rd. He notched five birdies but included the team's only double bogey of the day. Rounding out the lineup, Matty Dodd-Berry scored one-over 73, tying for 67th, with five bogeys offset by an eagle on the fifth hole.
On the team leaderboard, No. 1 Virginia leads at 22-under 266, followed closely by Ohio State at 21-under 267. LSU trails by eight strokes heading into the second round, with several teams tied at 12-under.
Individual standings for LSU:
- T2: Noah McWilliams, -6 (66)
- T25: Dan Hayes, -3 (69)
- T25: Jay Mendell, -3 (69)
- T33: Hudson Lawson, -2 (70)
- T67: Matty Dodd-Berry, +1 (73)
