SARASOTA, Fla. – Charlotte carries a one-shot lead into Tuesday’s second round of the 2026 American Men’s Golf Championship after an impressive opening day at the Ritz-Carlton Members Golf Club.
The average score over the opening round was 71.76 over 55 rounds on the par-72, 7,417 yard course. Thirty-two players shot par or better in the opening round, including 25 who shot under par.
The 49ers posted a tournament-best 17-under 271, as all five golfers shot par or better, including four counting scores under par. Seb Cave and Chase Cline led Charlotte with matching 6-under 66s to sit tied for second overall, while Justin Matthews added a 4-under 68. Frazer Jones rounded out the scoring at 1-under 71.
Rice and Memphis sit just one shot back in a tie for second at 16-under 272. Rice was paced by Lukas Boandl and Reggie Zhu, who each fired 6-under 66s, while Henry Daly carded a 4-under 68. Daniel Zou finished even par.
Memphis was led by Cian O’Connor, who holds the individual lead after a 7-under 65. O’Connor recorded par or better on 17 of 18 holes, with his lone blemish coming on No. 18. Diego Do Patrocinio Lourenco added a 5-under 67, while Yixiang Wang and Christian Morneau each shot 2-under 70.
South Florida, East Carolina and UAB are tied for fourth at 6-under 282. South Florida’s Wilhelm Ryding is part of the tie for second individually at 6-under 66. East Carolina’s Drew O’Neal and UAB’s Alvaro Huidobro each posted 4-under 68s to lead their respective teams.
Teams will resume the second round of the 2026 American Men’s Golf Championship on Tuesday with tee times expected to begin at 8:30 a.m. (ET).
2026 AMERICAN CONFERENCE MEN’S GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP
Team Standings
1. Charlotte 271 (-17)
T2. Rice 272 (-16)
T2. Memphis 272 (-16)
T4. South Florida 282 (-6)
T4. East Carolina 282 (-6)
T4. UAB 282 (-6)
7. North Texas 284 (-4)
8. Wichita State 290 (+2)
9. UTSA 291 (+3)
10. Florida Atlantic 296 (+8)
11. Temple 297 (+9)