• Live Scoring
BERMUDA RUN, N.C. – Little Rock Men's Golf opened NCAA Regional play Monday against one of the nation's toughest fields, with seniors and freshmen alike showing the poise that has defined another championship season for the Trojans.
Competing at Bermuda Run Country Club's East Course, Little Rock posted a 14-over-par team score in the opening round of the NCAA Bermuda Run Regional. The Trojans were led by senior Ed Featherstone and freshman Viggo Talasmaki, who each fired 1-over-par 72s against a field loaded with nationally ranked programs.
The regional features seven teams ranked inside the national top 40, including No. 3 Virginia, No. 10 Ole Miss, No. 15 Pepperdine and No. 22 Georgia Tech.
Talasmaki continued his outstanding freshman campaign with a steady round highlighted by four birdies, including three on the back nine. After making the turn at even par, the OVC Freshman of the Year answered adversity repeatedly and stayed composed throughout the afternoon to finish tied for 36th overall.
Featherstone, the OVC Player of the Year, once again delivered in postseason play. The senior carded four birdies and played the back nine in 2-under par to match Talasmaki atop the Trojan lineup. Featherstone closed strong with birdies on No. 15 and No. 16 to keep Little Rock within range entering round two.
Rhett South and Elliott Simonsen each battled to rounds of 77. South responded after a difficult stretch on the front nine to play even-par golf over his final nine holes, while Simonsen recorded key birdies and continued to fight through a demanding setup.
Mark Stockdale rounded out the lineup for the Trojans.
Little Rock entered the regional ranked No. 47 nationally after capturing its second straight Ohio Valley Conference championship and third consecutive NCAA Regional appearance. The Trojans remain focused on climbing the leaderboard over the final two rounds as the top five teams advance to the NCAA Championships.