Paton in top 10, Jags in top 15 after opening round of NAIA Tournament

Will Paton had consecutive rounds of 72 to lead the way for UHV at the Dallas Baptist University Classic on Monday.

May 16, 2023

MESA, Ariz. – Will Paton opened the NAIA National Golf Tournament under par on Tuesday at Las Sendas Golf Club.

The senior from Portsmouth, England, fired a 1-under 71 to sit tied for sixth place after the first of four rounds. Paton carded four birdies to sit three strokes behind the leaders.

After teeing off on the Par 5 10^th hole, Paton was 2-under in his final four holes after back-to-back birdies on the Par 5 6^th and Par 3 7^th holes.

The afternoon wave was unable to complete the opening round due to inclement weather, and will resume play Wednesday morning.

Jacob Flores turned in an opening-round 75 and is tied for 75th place. Carson Caylor and Dawson Frye each shot a 76 to open the tournament and sit in a tie for 69th place. Jaxon Langford shot 79 in the opening round to sit in a tie for 108th.

The Jaguars (298) closed the opening round tied for 14th place at the time of the delay with Friends University and The Master's University.

The field will be trimmed to the top 17 teams and top 40 individuals after Wednesday's Round 2. UHV was one stroke clear of 17^th place Truett-McConnell.

The Jaguars are scheduled to tee off at 3:20 p.m. Central Time on Wednesday.