Caylor, Jags atop leaderboard after Day 1 of Claud Jacobs Invitational
UHV will have a chance to reclaim the team title at the Claud Jacobs on Tuesday after finishing Monday's opening two rounds on top of the leaderboard.
The Jags, paced by Carson Caylor (SR/Urbandale, IA), shot rounds of 287 and 295 at Victoria Country Club to hold a one-stroke lead over Texas Wesleyan (294-289—583).
"It was good. I saw a lot of good golf," said head coach Garrett Adair. "I say the biggest thing is we need to clean it up a little in terms of consistency, but I saw a lot of good golf and a lot of exciting things."
Caylor shot a 4-under 68 to open the tournament and closed with an even-par 72 to enter Tuesday tied for the lead with TWU's Jung Woo Youn.
The senior carded an eagle on the 500-yard par 5 13th hole and three birdies on his first 11 holes in the opening round. He finished with birdies or better on eight holes, a team-best.
"I feel pretty good about how I played today," Caylor said. "The game was really solid the first round. I did some good things in the second, as well. I'm really happy with how I grinded that second round when I didn't have all my best stuff."
Caylor finished 12th at the Claud Jacobs in 2022, and second at the RRAC tournament, which was held at VCC.
He's hoping to continue his good play on Tuesday.
"I get to play with (Jung Woo Youn), which is a big thing," Caylor said. "Being able to play with him and know where he's at, it's kind of like match play."
Jacob Flores (SR/Pharr, TX) finished the first day tied for sixth at 2-over after rounds of 72 and 74.
The senior holed out for an eagle on the par 4 second hole during his second round. It was his fourth hole with birdie or better between the two rounds.
He and Caylor were two of six players to card an eagle in the first two rounds.
Flores and Will Paton (SR/Portsmouth, England) were second and first among the field in pars made with 26 and 28, respectively. Caylor and Jaxon Langford (JR/Fredricksburg, TX) were tied for third in birdies made with seven each.
"We've got a lot of depth from top to bottom," Adair said. "Even Dawson Frye (JR/Amarillo, Tx) came out and played a good round in the morning as an individual. So it's about having depth from top to bottom. Seeing the guys contribute from top to bottom and seeing good golf is hopefully a good sign to come."