Chopin drains school’s first-ever albatross, shares lead after 1st day of Texas Intercollegiate
WESTWORTH VILLAGE – UHV junior Paul Chopin made sure to start the season hot for the No. 7-ranked Jaguars.
The Poitiers, France, native closed the first day of the Texas Wesleyan Texas Intercollegiate in a tie for the lead at 8-under thanks to consecutive rounds of 68. He highlighted his strong first day with an albatross on the par 5 12th hole at Hawks Creek Golf Club. It's the first-ever albatross in the history of the men's program. He had eight birdies and an eagle, as well, to go with his historic double-eagle.
Chopin enters Tuesday's final round even with University of Science and Arts Oklahoma's Conner Cryer (66-70—136).
Thanks to his performance, the Jaguars closed the first day in third place after rounds of 288-286—574 (-2). They trail Tyler Junior College by five strokes while 2024 NAIA runner-up and No. 3-ranked Texas Wesleyan leads the field at 10-under (286-280—566).
Nathan Biais, a 2024 NAIA third-team All-American, kicked off his sophomore campaign in strong fashion with rounds of 69-72—141 (-3) to sit in fifth place entering the final round. The Chassors, France, native carded a team-high nine birdies.
Senior Joshua Van der Wath sits T-15 after rounds of 73-73—146 (+2) and enters the final round two shots outside of the Top 10. The Johannesburg, South Africa, native had eight birdies between the two rounds, including five in Monday's second round.
Both Edgar Hinojosa and Lucky Boonsrirat had strong opening days for the Jaguars.
Hinojosa (78-74—152, T-31) closed the first round birdie-birdie-par-birdie in the final four holes of the first round. Boonsrirat (80-73—153, T-34) had the best improvement between the first two rounds thanks to five birdies in the second round.
The tournament concludes on Tuesday with the final round starting at 8:30 a.m.