ORLANDO, Fla. – Highlighted by five birdies over a six-hole stretch in the middle of the round, Arkansas men’s golf junior Nicolas Echavarria fired a six-under 66 on the first day of the Tavistock Collegiate Invitational held at Lake Nona Golf and Country Club to lead the Razorbacks to a four-man score of even-par.
After opening his round with four straight pars, Echavarria birdied the last three holes on the front nine to card a 32 before opening the back with a birdie. One of six players in the field of 75 to play bogey-free on the day, Echavarria’s 66 puts him in a two-way tie for third place heading in Monday’s second round. Since returning from the World Amateur Team Championships in Japan, Echavarria has finished under-par in three of his four rounds played.
Joining Echavarria is red figures was classmate Taylor Moore, who shot a one-under 71. Led by the junior duo, Arkansas posted an even-par 288 to finish day one in a tie for 12th place out of the field of 15 teams. No. 17 Texas Tech sits atop the leaderboard at 21-under.
Moore’s 71 marks the second straight tournament that he’s finished under-par in the first round. The Edmond, Okla. native was able go from two-over to even-par after the front nine thanks to an eagle on the par 5, 9th hole. Freshman Emil Soegaard supplied a 75, while both Alvaro Ortiz and Kolton Crawford each shot 76.
Arkansas will return to Lake Nona Golf and Country Club on Monday for the second round starting at 8:15 a.m. The Razorbacks will open the round on the back nine, playing alongside UNLV and Indiana. Live scoring is available all three days at www.Golfstat.com or via the Golfstat Live app.
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@RazorbackMGolf Lineup
T3. Nicolas Echavarria – 66 (-6)
T36. Taylor Moore – 71 (-1)
T62. Emil Soegaard – 75
T65. Alvaro Ortiz – 76
T65. Kolton Crawford – 76
@RazorbackMGolf Notables
• Arkansas has shot 288 or lower in four straight rounds.
• Over his last four rounds, Echavarria has a scoring average of 68.8.
• Echavarria has gone his last 24 holes without a bogey.
• The under-par round was the 23rd of Moore’s career and Echavarria’s 11th.
• Moore carded his 250th career birdie.
• Ortiz now has a counting score in seven straight rounds to open his collegiate career.
Tavistock Collegiate Invitational Standings (GCAA Ranking – Oct. 3)
1. Texas Tech (17) – 267 (-21)
2. Florida State (4) – 270 (-18)
3. Vanderbilt (T5) – 271 (-17)
4. Illinois (1) – 276 (-12)
5. North Florida – 278 (-10)
6. New Mexico (18) – 280 (-8)
T7. California (12) – 283 (-5)
T7. Baylor (8) – 283 (-5)
T9. UCF (RV) – 287 (-1)
T9. Florida – 287 (-1)
T9. Georgia (7) – 287 (-1)
T12. Arkansas – 288 (E)
T12. Augusta State – 288 (E)
T12. UNLV (24) – 288 (E)
15. Indiana – 290