LEXINGTON, Ky. (October 6, 2025) – The University of North Alabama men's golf team claimed a sixth-place first day finish among a strong field at the Cullan Brown Collegiate in Lexington, Ky. on Monday.
A tough field saw a sixth-place finish for the Lions after the first day. At one point, the team was as low as 12th before climbing past teams like Penn State, Virginia Tech, Michigan and West Virginia.
Junior Andrew Ferworn continued his hot streak from the GMAC Invitational, sitting tied for second at five-under with nearly two full rounds completed. He carded nine birdies — tied for fourth-most in the tournament — with only the par-4 10th hole remaining before he completes his second round.
The Lions played nearly 36 holes on Monday and plan to wrap up the tournament on Tuesday. Due to time constraints, the final few holes on Monday were postponed to a 9 a.m. start on Tuesday. However, there is potential weather in the area that threatens the final day.
The top-five teams were the only teams to shoot under-par for the inconclusive first day. Mississippi State heads the group at 12-under with the host team, Kentucky, nipping at their heels at 11-under. NC State takes a tie for third with Cincinnati at six-under, while Kennesaw State finished the day in fifth at two-under.
As the Lions take sixth at two-over, they edge out Memphis by one stroke who sits seventh. A three-way tie for eighth between Virginia Tech, West Virginia and Penn State leveled out at four-over; WVU climbed four spots for the tie.
Western Kentucky went seven-over to place 11th on the day. Another three-way tie ensued with ASUN opponents Eastern Kentucky and Lipscomb, which included Michigan as well at 10-over. Toledo closed out the final spot at 18-over.
Behind Ferworn's second place showing is senior Sebastian Bengtsson, who got out of the gates a tad slow with a two-over round one. However, a great recovery shot him up the leaderboard 18 spots to finish in a tie for 36th at one-over. The Sweden native has holes 7, 8 and 9 to go before concluding round two.
Senior Xing Luo followed suit as he rose nine spots to 45th. He finished two-over in the first round but currently sits even through 17 holes in round two with five birdies to his name.
Redshirt freshman Walter Waineby saw the top-20 at one point during the tournament as he finished one-under in round one with three birdies. With two holes to go in the second round, he currently sits at four-over in 57th with two holes to go.
Corey Maher received his first start of the season for the Lions. He added two birdies in the first round with another in the second. He currently is the only Lion to complete the first two rounds as a whole.
"We really didn't have our best stuff today, but the guys fought really hard today," said The Schmitz Family Head Coach Austin Phillips. "We made some mistakes I don't love, but when the going got tough, we rose through the standings. I'm not sure if we will play tomorrow due to weather, but if we do, I know this team will give it everything."
North Alabama will have the opportunity to finish the tournament tomorrow at 9 a.m.
Cullan Brown Collegiate
Lexington Country Club
Team Leaderboard - Scores are incomplete
1. Mississippi State 518 -12
2. Kentucky 506 -11
T3. NC State 542 -6
T3. Cincinnati 520 -6
5. Kennesaw State 540 -2
6. North Alabama 542 +2
7. Memphis 555 +3
T8. Virginia Tech 552 +4
T8. Penn State 555 +4
T8. West Virginia 542 +4
11. Western Ky. 555 +7
T12. Eastern Ky. 542 +10
T12. Lipscomb 542 +10
T12. Michigan 548 +10
13. Toledo 553 +18
North Alabama Golfers
T2. Andrew Ferworn 133 | -5 — Hole 10 remaining
T36. Sebastian Bengtsson 131 | +1 — Hole 7, 8, 9 remaining
T45. Xing Luo 140 | +2 — Hole 10 remaining
T57. Walter Waineby 138 | +4 — Hole 10, 11 remaining
90. Corey Maher 157| +15 — Completed both rounds
For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
