Monday, April 27
Texarkana, Ark.
9:00 AM ET
Liberty University
vs
CUSA Men’s Golf Championship
Flames In 3rd Place After Day 1 of CUSA Men’s Golf Championship
4/27/2026 8:45:00 PM | Men's Golf
TEXARKANA, Ark. – The Flames were unable to keep pace with Day 1 clubhouse leaders UTEP and New Mexico State during the back nine of the CUSA Men's Golf Championship, leaving them in third place after play on Monday.
When all five of Liberty's golfers made the turn at the Texarkana Country Club (par 72, 6,969 yards), Liberty held a one-stroke lead.
However, the Miners played the final nine holes on Monday a combined 5-under par, while New Mexico State closed the back nine with a combined 4-under par.
Unfortunately, Liberty finished the last nine holes with a combined 2-over par, dropping them down the team leaderboard into third place.
UTEP and New Mexico State opened the championship event with a 9-under par 279, while Liberty finished the day five shots back after a 4-under par 284.
Kennesaw State holds down the coveted fourth-place spot following a 3-under par 285. Following play on Wednesday, the top four teams will advance to two rounds of match play on Thursday to decide who claims the 2026 conference title.
Liberty's top performers on Day 1 of the CUSA Championship were freshman Silas Haarer and senior Josh Ryan.
Haarer finished the day tied for fourth place after signing for a 3-under par 69. The postseason rookie opened the event with five birdies in his first eight holes, including four in a row, before dropping a few strokes on the back nine.
Ryan, who clinched Liberty's 2024 championship on the same course, opened with a bogey on No. 1 (par 4, 400 yards), but quickly got into red figures with a rebounding eagle at No. 2 (par 5, 501 yards). The senior enters tomorrow's second round tied for ninth place following a 2-under par 70.
The Flames will once again be in the lead group heading off the No. 1 tee on Tuesday, starting at 9 a.m. ET/8 a.m. CT. Liberty will be paired with overnight leaders UTEP and New Mexico State during the second round.
Round Recap – Liberty's Starting Five:
Following the Flames at the Conference USA Men's Golf Championship:
When all five of Liberty's golfers made the turn at the Texarkana Country Club (par 72, 6,969 yards), Liberty held a one-stroke lead.
However, the Miners played the final nine holes on Monday a combined 5-under par, while New Mexico State closed the back nine with a combined 4-under par.
Unfortunately, Liberty finished the last nine holes with a combined 2-over par, dropping them down the team leaderboard into third place.
UTEP and New Mexico State opened the championship event with a 9-under par 279, while Liberty finished the day five shots back after a 4-under par 284.
Kennesaw State holds down the coveted fourth-place spot following a 3-under par 285. Following play on Wednesday, the top four teams will advance to two rounds of match play on Thursday to decide who claims the 2026 conference title.
Liberty's top performers on Day 1 of the CUSA Championship were freshman Silas Haarer and senior Josh Ryan.
Haarer finished the day tied for fourth place after signing for a 3-under par 69. The postseason rookie opened the event with five birdies in his first eight holes, including four in a row, before dropping a few strokes on the back nine.
Ryan, who clinched Liberty's 2024 championship on the same course, opened with a bogey on No. 1 (par 4, 400 yards), but quickly got into red figures with a rebounding eagle at No. 2 (par 5, 501 yards). The senior enters tomorrow's second round tied for ninth place following a 2-under par 70.
The Flames will once again be in the lead group heading off the No. 1 tee on Tuesday, starting at 9 a.m. ET/8 a.m. CT. Liberty will be paired with overnight leaders UTEP and New Mexico State during the second round.
Round Recap – Liberty's Starting Five:
- Silas Haarer – T4 3-under par 69 (69)
- Josh Ryan – T9 2-under par 70 (70)
- Luke Libbey – T20 even par 72 (72)
- Michael Lugiano – T24 1-over par 73 (73)
- Ike Joy – T30 2-over par 74 (74)
- Texarkana Country Club (Texarkana, Ark.)
- Par 72, 6,969 yards
Following the Flames at the Conference USA Men's Golf Championship:
- Live stats will be available at Scoreboard.clippd.com
- Twitter @LibertyGolf
- Instagram @LibertyGolf
- Round 2 Tee Time: Tuesday at 9 a.m. EST/8 a.m. CST (No. 1 tee)
Players Mentioned
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