CAVE CREEK, Ariz. – No. 6 Auburn men's golf began its season in record-setting fashion, firing a 24-under 260 Friday in round one of the Mirabel Maui Jim Intercollegiate at The Mirabel Club. Senior Ryan Eshleman delivered the best performance of the day with an 8-under 63.
Auburn's performance tops the previous school record for 18-hole team score, 22-under, set a year ago in round one of the same event.
"What a great way to kickstart what will surely be an exciting season," Tigers head coach Nick Clinard. "We got production up and down the lineup, from the underclassmen to the experienced vets, so that's just another testament to how dangerously deep our team is. If they stick their game and keep playing Auburn golf, we'll be adding another trophy to the trophy case at the end of the week."
All five of the Auburn men contributed to the scorching season opener as each birdied the first hole of the day and never looked back. Behind Eshleman's 63, junior Brendan Valdes and freshman Jackson Koivun carded a pair of 6-under 65s while seniors Carson Bacha and J.M. Butler followed with 4-under 67s.
Eshleman's afternoon consisted of nine birdies, including four in a row on holes 4-7, and a single bogey. The Birmingham, Alabama native is no stranger to going low in the desert as he opened last year's Maui Jim with a jaw-dropping 60 (-10). He enters round two in second place, one shot back of the lead.
"Great day for our squad," Eshleman said. "Really strong start, and I think all five of us birding hole 1 out of the gate showed that we were ready to go. There's still lots of golf left, but we will rest up tonight and be ready to keep our feet on the pedal tomorrow."
Koivun and Valdes both turned in clean cards with six birdies apiece. Valdes also tied his career low.
Bacha's 67 was aided by six birdies on holes 1, 6, 7, 9, 12 and 17. Butler fought off three bogeys with the help of seven birdies of his own.
Over at the Maui Jim Individual at Legend Trail Golf Club, freshman Josiah Gilbert led the Orange & Blue contingent in his collegiate debut with a 69 (-3). The highlight of Gilbert's round was a pair of eagles on 3 and 17. Heading into Saturday's 36-hole conclusion, Gilbert stands tied for third place.
"I'd say my instincts just took over," Gilbert said. "I made sure I stuck to my routines and stayed in it, mentally, the entire day. I made some bad mistakes early that forced me to play catch up the rest of the round. Going 4-under from holes 14 to 17 was a great run to finish off my round, and I definitely learned a lot from the experience."
Also at Legend Trail were senior Alex Vogelsong, sophomore Reed Lotter and freshman Cayden Pope. Vogelsong and Lotter shot even par (72) and Pope shot one-over (73).
The Tigers pick up action Sunday with Butler as the leadoff player, teeing off from the back at 11:40 a.m. CT. Gilbert will commence play at Legend Trail, beginning from hole one at 9 a.m. CT. The Maui Jim Individual will conclude with 36 holes on Saturday.
Auburn Individuals
2. Ryan Eshleman 63 (-8)
T4. Jackson Koivun 65 (-6)
T4. Brendan Valdes 65 (-6)
T12th. Carson Bacha 67 (-4)
T12th. J.M. Butler 67 (-4)
Maui Jim Team Leaderboard
1.#6 Auburn (-24)
2. San Diego State (-21)
3. SMU (-18)
4. Fresno State (-11)
5. #22 Oregon (-10)
6. Ohio State (-9)
7. New Mexico (-7)
T8. Little Rock (-5)
T8. Santa Clara (-5)
T8. Colorado (-5)
11. UNLV (-4)
12. Georgia State (-1)
13. Missouri (E)
14. Texas State (+4)
15. Mercer (+8)
Maui Jim Individual
T3. Josiah Gilbert 69 (-3)
T16. Alex Vogelsong 72(E)
T16. Reed Lotter 72 (E)
T21. Cayden Pope 73 (+1)