MARICOPA, Arizona (5/23/26) – The University of Wyoming men's golf team moved up during Day 2 of the 2026 National Golf Invitational. The Pokes are now fifth as a team at 555 (-21) following a Saturday second-round score of 270 (-18) in a tournament being played at Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club. Brody Leid jumped out to the solo lead at 130 (-14) after a second-round 66 (-6).

"I'm happy for the group. It was nice to have a nice day," head coach Joe Jensen said. "I'm not changing anything. I want us to stay in rhythm. We have to stay light, loose and in our process. We are not doing anything different, and we are going to go do the best we can tomorrow."

The 18-under par matches a program record for lowest single round score. Also, 21-under par is the best score through 36 holes in program history. 

Grand Canyon is atop the team leaderboard at 539 (-37). The Lopes' Nixon Lauritzen is second on the individual leaderboard at 133 (-11).

Leid had an impressive encore on Saturday to his stellar opening-round 64 (-8) on Friday. His second-round 66 encompassed eight birdies and just two bogeys.

Leid leads a field that's competing for an exemption to a PGA Tour event. The winner of the NGI is invited to the 2026 Butterfield Bermuda Championship in October.

Brody Knowlton also carded a Round 2 score of 66 (-6), which vaulted him into a tie for 12th at 138 (-6). He caught fire on the back nine, holing all six of his birdies on what was a spotless 18.

Austin Barry boasted a career-best 68 (-4) in the second round to jump up into a share for 34th place at 144 (E). He recorded four birdies, an eagle and just two bogeys.

Conner Scheich pieced together and Round 2 score of 70 (-2). He is tied for 40th at 146 (+2) following a day that saw him register six birdies and four bogeys. Kellen Ball logged a 76 (+4) and that dropped him into a tie for 44th place at 149 (+5).

The final round of the NGI gets underway on Sunday morning.

Team Leaderboard
1. Grand Canyon – 539 (-37)
2. Missouri – 547 (-29)
3. Rhode Island – 548 (-28)
4. William & Mary – 554 (-22)
5. Wyoming – 555 (-21)
6. Mercer – 558 (-18)
7. Nevada – 562 (-14)
8. Tennessee Tech – 570 (-6)
9. Augusta – 577 (+1)
10. North Alabama – 581 (+5)

Individual Top Five
1. Brody Leid (Wyoming) – 130 (-14)
2. Nixon Lauritzen (Grand Canyon) – 133 (-11)
3. Josiah Tong (Rhode Island) – 134 (-10)
3. Gavin O'Neill (Grand Canyon) – 134 (-10)
5. Monte Chumchaivate (Nevada) – 135 (-9)
5. Tyler Bruneau (Rhode Island) – 135 (-9)