TEXARKANA, Ark. – Louisiana Tech opened play at the 2026 Conference USA Men's Golf Championship on Monday with a round of 8-over par 296 at the Texarkana Country Club.
 
It was a sluggish start for LA Tech, who needed seven holes to record its first birdie of the day.  The Bulldogs found themselves in an early hole at 8-over through the opening stretch, but settled in as the round progressed, playing even-par golf over the final 11 holes.
 
Starting on the back nine, a key turning point came on the drivable par-4 17th, where three of the five Bulldogs carded birdies to generate momentum heading to the turn.
 
As a team, LA Tech netted just six birdies on the front nine, four of those coming on the par fives.  Individually, Riley Hnatyshyn paced the Bulldogs with a 1-over 73 and sits tied for 24th.  The senior was 3-over through seven holes but played the remainder of the round at 2-under.
 
Seth Campbell and Oskari Schuvalow are both tied for 30th after posting rounds of 2-over 74.
 
Abel Derksen turned in a 3-over 75 for the final scorecard used by LA Tech in round one, while Morton Bailey rounded out the lineup with a 5-over 77 as the Bulldogs sit in ninth on the team leaderboard.
 
UTEP and New Mexico State are tied for first after 18 holes after both squads shot 9-under 279.  They hold a 5-shot lead over Liberty (284), who is in third followed by Kennesaw State (285).
 
UP NEXT
LA Tech will tee off in round two on Tuesday.  The first Bulldog – Morton Bailey – has a tee time of 8:45 a.m. CT and will start on hole 10.
 
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