LAS CRUCES, N.M. – UT Tyler sits in 20^th place after an opening round 303 in the 2024 NCAA Division II South Central/West Regional Championship.
 
Junior Jackson Naeger led the Patriots with an opening round of 71 at the University Golf Course in Las Cruces, N.M. and will begin tomorrow's second round in a tie for 20^th place on the individual leaderboard. The top five teams and the top two individual finishers not on those advancing teams will move on to the NCAA Division II Men's Golf National Championship Tournament on May 21-25 at the Orange County National Golf Center and Lodge in Winter Garden, Florida. 
 
Western New Mexico holds a four-shot advantage of Oklahoma Christian after an opening round of 277 on Thursday morning.
 
Junior Jay Shero carded a round of 74 and classmate Gage Burnham a round of 76. Junior Seth Campbell and sophomore Luke Emerson both posted rounds of 82.
 
UT Tyler will tee off in tomorrow's second round beginning at 12:30 p.m. local time.