Four Wildcats Score Under Par to Begin Golden Nugget Invitational
3/2/2026 10:25:00 PM | Men's Golf
LAKE CHARLES, La. - Each member of Abilene Christian men's golf's lineup shot at or below par as the Wildcats tied for fourth through two rounds at the Golden Nugget Invitational on Monday. Three ACU golfers placed within the top 25 at The Country Club at Golden Nugget.
The Wildcats wrap up their third tournament in as many weeks on Tuesday with an 8:45 a.m. shotgun start for the third and final round.
ACU tied for third in the field with 43 birdies and matched Northern Colorado for the most eagles with three.
Colin Leonard led the way in a tie for 13th place at 5-under 139, opening with a 4-under 68 in the first round. He remained under par after firing a 1-under 71 in the second round. Leonard totaled nine birdies and tied for the fewest bogeys among the Wildcats with just four. In the first round, he registered five birdies to just one bogey.
Thomas Buisson and Preston DeFriend each followed in a tie for 21st place at 3-under 141. Both golfers shot 3-under 69 in the first round before slotting in at even-par 72 in the second.
Buisson, fresh off a runner-up showing at the Military City Collegiate presented by USAA, drew for second in the field with 12 birdies. He bounced back in the second round, scoring 3-under 33 on the back nine following a 3-over 39 start on the front nine. DeFriend collected eight birdies and was one of three Wildcats to record an eagle, doing so on hole No. 1 in the opening round.
Grégoire Hoyeau tied for 26th place at 2-under 142, shooting 1-under 71 in each round. He notched a birdie on each of his final three holes to finish the day. Hoyeau matched DeFriend with eight birdies.
Jack Hollingsed rounded out the lineup in a draw for 36th at an even-par 144. He rose 11 spots after scoring 2-under 70 in the second round. With six birdies, he was the second Wildcat to tally an eagle, making his mark on No. 5 in the second round.
Niklas Blalock competed as an individual, tying for 42nd at 1-over 145. He scored 1-under 71 to get the day started, including an eagle on No. 12 in the first round.
The Wildcats wrap up their third tournament in as many weeks on Tuesday with an 8:45 a.m. shotgun start for the third and final round.
ACU tied for third in the field with 43 birdies and matched Northern Colorado for the most eagles with three.
Colin Leonard led the way in a tie for 13th place at 5-under 139, opening with a 4-under 68 in the first round. He remained under par after firing a 1-under 71 in the second round. Leonard totaled nine birdies and tied for the fewest bogeys among the Wildcats with just four. In the first round, he registered five birdies to just one bogey.
Thomas Buisson and Preston DeFriend each followed in a tie for 21st place at 3-under 141. Both golfers shot 3-under 69 in the first round before slotting in at even-par 72 in the second.
Buisson, fresh off a runner-up showing at the Military City Collegiate presented by USAA, drew for second in the field with 12 birdies. He bounced back in the second round, scoring 3-under 33 on the back nine following a 3-over 39 start on the front nine. DeFriend collected eight birdies and was one of three Wildcats to record an eagle, doing so on hole No. 1 in the opening round.
Grégoire Hoyeau tied for 26th place at 2-under 142, shooting 1-under 71 in each round. He notched a birdie on each of his final three holes to finish the day. Hoyeau matched DeFriend with eight birdies.
Jack Hollingsed rounded out the lineup in a draw for 36th at an even-par 144. He rose 11 spots after scoring 2-under 70 in the second round. With six birdies, he was the second Wildcat to tally an eagle, making his mark on No. 5 in the second round.
Niklas Blalock competed as an individual, tying for 42nd at 1-over 145. He scored 1-under 71 to get the day started, including an eagle on No. 12 in the first round.
Players Mentioned
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