BIG RAPIDS, Mich. – University of Central Missouri Mules Golf fired an opening round 6-over par 294 and sits in a tie for fifth place after the opening 18 holes of the 2026 NCAA-II Midwest/Central Regional at the Katke Golf Course in Big Rapids, Michigan.

Winona State is atop the leaderboard in first after the opening round at 4-under par 284, while Grand Valley State is in second at 2-under par 286. Arkansas Tech and UMSL are tied for third at 5-over par 293, rounding out the top four teams on day one.

CJ Phillips is tied for third after firing an opening round 4-under par 68, while Andrew Whittaker and Brooks Baldwin are tied for 29th at 2-over par 74. Phillips recorded four birdies and one eagle (hole 7) on the day, while Whittaker had an eagle on hole 18.

Lawson Barks and Kale Flinton are tied for 70th at 6-over par 78, rounding out the UCM scoring for round one.

Grand Valley State's Manuel Cue and Ferris State's Ben Miller are tied atop the individual leaderboard through 18 holes at 5-under par 67.

UCM will tee off at 9:50 a.m. CT (10:50 a.m. ET) in the second round on Friday, May 8, in Big Rapids.