Results

WHEELING, W.Va. (May 9) – California (PA) senior Reese Watson fired an even-par 71 in the opening round of the NCAA Atlantic/East Region Championships on Thursday before play was halted due to weather conditions.

Watson currently sits in a tie for sixth overall on individual leader board with 36 golfers still yet to complete the opening round. He fired a dazzling four-under on the front nine with a trio of birdies, plus an eagle on the par-five eighth, on Thursday and later closed his round with four-straight pars. Watson is tied for fourth in the field with four birdies in the opening round and was one of only two golfers to card an eagle on Thursday.

A 5-foot-9 senior, Watson registered a career-best round at the event while playing in the regional championships for a third-straight year. Additionally, he previously shot back-to-back rounds of 77 while playing the same course two-plus weeks ago.

Nine of the 20 teams competing at the event have at least one golfer yet to complete the opening round. Charleston (W.Va.) is the overnight clubhouse leader at 12-over 296, while Fayetteville State (N.C.) and St. Thomas Aquinas (N.Y.) are tied at 16-over 300.

Watson is slated to tee off in the second round at the NCAA Atlantic/East Region Championships tomorrow, Friday, May 10, at 3 p.m.

UPDATE: Following the conclusion of the first round on Friday, Watson was one of seven golfers tied for third place with an even-par 71. Gannon junior Michael Wareham sat as the individual leader by one stroke with a two-under 69. The Golden Knights also led the team standings by two strokes with a 10-over 294 after all the teams completed 18 holes.