MARANA, Ariz. (5/18/26) – Led by sophomore Cole Kirby, the Arkansas State men’s golf team is off to a record-breaking start following the first round of the NCAA Marana Regional at The Gallery Golf Club.

Kirby carded a career-best 7-under par 65 and is tied with William Love of Duke for the individual lead. The 7-under par 65 is an individual program record at a NCAA Regional topping a pair of 6-under 66 rounds by Zan Luka Stirn in the 2021 Noblesville Regional. As a team, the Red Wolves turned in a 7-under par 281 for a program best round at a NCAA Regional by three shots topping the even-par 284 at the 2000 Central Regional.

A-State stands fourth among 14 teams entering the second round, four shots back of No. 18 Arizona (-11) and No. 5 Oklahoma State (-11) for the lead. No. 8 LSU (-9) is third while No. 29 Duke (-6), No. 20 Alabama (-2), Tarleton State (+3), No. 33 Clemson (+4), St. Mary’s (+4) and West Virginia (+6) complete the top 10.

Kirby finished the day with a clean scorecard that featured an eagle on the par-5 16th and five birdies. The round ties for the 12th-lowest in program history and is the sixth time this season an A-State player has finished at 7-under or better in any round. Senior Thomas Schmidt is tied for seventh at 3-under par 69, his best round at a regional in his career and tied for the seventh-lowest in program history.

Milan Reed finished the opening round at 1-over par 73 to tie for 32nd while Jake Lile totaled 2-over par 74 to tie for 37th. Jake Wallis is 73rd at 8-over par 80.

A-State begins its second round of the 10th tee at 9:30 a.m. (CT). Wallis will get the Red Wolves started followed by Lile at 9:41 a.m. (CT), Reed at 9:52 a.m. (CT), Schmidt at 10:03 a.m. (CT) and Kirby at 10:14 a.m. (CT). Live streaming coverage is available via Babygrande Golf while live scoring is available on Scoreboard.

The low five teams and the low individual not on those teams following play in the final round Wednesday advance to the finals May 29-June 3 at Omni La Costa Resort & Spa in Carlsbad, Calif.

NCAA Regional – Marana
First Round Results
4 Arkansas State 281 (-7)
t1 Cole Kirby 65 (-7)
t7 Thomas Schmidt 69 (-3)
t32 Milan Reed 73 (+1)
t37 Jake Lile 74 (+2)
73 Jake Wallis 80 (+8)