Leaderboard

STOCKTON, Calif. - Lukas Taggart is in second place and Liam Allan battled back to even par as the Colorado School of Mines duo began play at the NCAA West/South Central Regional at The Reserve at Spanos Park.

Taggart shot a four-under 68 to put himself as the top individual on the leaderboard, two shots off the lead, while Allan sits tied for 29th at even par after his round of 72.

Taggart got off to a red-hot start with five birdies in his first eight holes, and then finished with two in his last three after giving shots back around the turn. His 68 marked his second-best round of the season as he went under par for the fifth consecutive round. Taggart trails leader Liam Weaver of Cal State San Marcos by two shots but occupies the first of the two all-important top individual slots that advance golfers to the national tournament, with a six-way tie for third at -3 behind him.

Allan scrapped his way to even par at a tie for 29th in an up-and-down opening round that saw him get as low as -2 through 11. The freshman bounced back from three straight bogeys on 12, 13, and 14 in a big way, scoring an eagle on the par-5, 535-yard 16th to help him finish at even par.

Western Washington (-5) leads the team standings a shot ahead of West Texas A&M. Taggart and Allan are playing as individuals for the Orediggers; after 54 holes, the top six teams and the top two players not with one of those teams advance to the NCAA Division II Championship. 

Taggart and Allan will be paired together again tomorrow as the last pairing to head out in the second round at 1:20 p.m. PT.