University of Richmond Athletics
Spiders Stay Hot, Shoot to Lead in North Carolina
03/09/2026 | Men's Golf
SOUTHERN PINES, N.C. — In their first action since smashing program scoring records in a win at the Loyola Intercollegiate, the Richmond Spiders continued to surge in Round 1 of the Babygrande Donald Ross Collegiate Classic, firing a team score of 10-under (278) Monday to take a four-shot lead on the 20-team field. It was Richmond's third straight round of 10-under or better, the longest streak in program history.
The Spiders were led by freshman Lucas Rizo-Patron, who matched five birdies with 13 pars on his way to a 5-under 67, his best round of the season.
"Mentally I was really committed to letting go of my expectations and trying to control the results. I also putted the ball great from long distance, always giving myself a nice tap-in for par or birdie," said Rizo-Patron. "And I dominated the par fives."
Rizo-Patron birdied all four par fives at Mid Pines Golf Club and is second on the leaderboard of 100 golfers, trailing 18-hole leader CJ Winchenbaugh of Georgetown by one.
Sophomore Carson Baez, the individual medalist at the Loyola Intercollegiate with a score of 17-under par, another program record, is one shot behind Rizo-Patron in a tie for third at four-under par. Baez's eight birdies were tied for most in the field, and his three-under on the par threes Monday was two shots better than any other player.
Junior Quin Polin shot his fourth straight round in red figures, finishing Monday at one-under par in a tie for 18th.
Senior Drew Carlin provided the final team score for Richmond with an even-par 72. He is tied for 28th.
Junior Parker Moellinger is tied for 68th at four-over par.
Richmond is four shots in front of Georgetown and James Madison, who are tied at six-under par, and well in front of its seven A-10 rivals in the field: George Washington (-3), VCU (+1), Dayton (+2), St. Bonaventure (+3), Loyola Chicago (+3), George Mason (+4), and Saint Joseph's (+6).
Players Mentioned
