SAMMAMISH, Wash. – Senior Ryan Wallen recorded a first-round score of 72 (+1) on day one of the NCAA Washington Regional at Aldarra Golf Club on Monday afternoon.

 

Wallen jumped out to a hot start with back-to-back birdies on his opening two holes. Bogeys on the following two holes bumped him back to even par, but another birdie on the seventh hole would leave him with a one-under 34 on the front nine.

 

"Ryan played very well and this is a solid start," UW head coach Joe Jensen said. "This course will really punish you if you miss the green. On most of his bogeys, he just didn't get up and down. So that's what we're going to focus on tomorrow. He feels good about how he hit the ball today, and he has the game. If he's confident, he can be right there on Wednesday."

 

A birdie on the 12th hole put Wallen back at two under, but three bogeys in four holes pushed him to one over par where he would finish.

 

Wallen is currently in the running to earn a spot in the NCAA Men's Division I Championship. The top five teams from the Washington Regional will advance, along with the top individual that does not belong to one of the five advancing teams. After 18 holes, Wallen is tied for sixth among individuals not on a top-five team and just four strokes off the leader.

 

Play will resume tomorrow morning at 9 a.m. MT. Follow @wyo_golf on twitter for pairing information and further updates.

 

Team Standings - Top Five

1. Florida State: 278 (-6)

2. USC: 280 (-4)

3. Alabama: 283 (-1)

T4. Kent State: 287 (+3)

T4. Texas A&M: 287 (+3)

 

Individual Standings outside of Top Five

1. Nick Carlson (Michigan): 68 (-3)

T2. Cole Miller (Penn State): 69 (-2)

T2 Bryce Evon (Michigan): 69 (-2)

4. Charles Corner (UTEP): 70 (-1)

T5. Kyle Mueller (Michigan): 71 (E)

T5. PJ Samiere (San Diego State): 71 (E)

T5. Gunn Yang (San Diego State): 71 (E)

T6. Ryan Wallen: 72 (+1)

Two others at +1