Completed Event: Men's Golf at N.I.T. on January 26, 2026 , , 11th of 13
M Golf
at N.I.T.
11th of 13
Grand Canyon University Athletics
Photo by: David Kadlubowski
O’Neill’s 64 powers GCU to 2nd at NGI
5/22/2026 3:48:00 PM | Men's Golf
Junior Irishman finishes 1 back of tying program record
MARICOPA, Ariz. – Friday marked the final first day of the 2025-26 season for the Grand Canyon men's golf team as round one of the National Golf Invitational concluded at Ak-Chin Southern Dunes in the nearby city of Maricopa.
GCU played par to the weather and under par for the course, totaling a 17 under scorecard to put itself second out of 10 schools, one shot back of Missouri, who is ranked just three spots higher than the Lopes at 89.
The NGI serves as the fourth straight postseason golf tournament for the Lopes, with the grand prize for the individual winner taking home more than a trophy. The individual winner of the 2026 NGI will punch a ticket to the Butterfield Bermuda Championship on the PGA Tour circuit, set for Oct. 22-26 at Port Royal Golf Course in Southhampton, Bermuda. Notable PGA players who competed in last year's edition include Alex Smalley, Camilo Villegas, Seamus Power, Matti Schmid, Sahith Theegala, Brandt Snedeker and Matt Kuchar.
Junior Gavin O'Neill made his claim to earn that PGA tournament exemption, shooting a career low 64 with nine birdies to just one bogey. O'Neill came right out of the gate with three straight birdies on holes 1-3 and finished the front nine 4 under. It only got better from there as the Irishman birdied five of his last six holes including four straight from holes 13-16.
His lone blemish came on the par 3, 17th, a bogey that set him just one shot shy of the program's single round low of 63, held by multiple Lopes and most recently teammate Nixon Lauritzen last season at Ak-Chin Southern Dunes.
O'Neill is tied for first with Wyoming's Brody Leid and is one of three Lopes in the top 10 after day one.
Joining him are sophomore duo Måns Boje and Lauritzen, who carded 4 under totals, both of whom tallied an eagle to their name and are tied for ninth. Boje had just one bogey for his round and went 3 under on the back nine, while Lauritzen had four birdies with 2 under showings on both the front and back.
Sophomore Matthew Diehl went 1 under (T-20th) with three birdies, two bogeys and 13 pars, while classmate Erik Rengardt is tied for 36th at 1 over.
GCU's 23 birdies are third most of the field and are one of three teams with multiple eagles so far this tournament.
Round two tee times begin tomorrow at 9:25 a.m.
GCU played par to the weather and under par for the course, totaling a 17 under scorecard to put itself second out of 10 schools, one shot back of Missouri, who is ranked just three spots higher than the Lopes at 89.
The NGI serves as the fourth straight postseason golf tournament for the Lopes, with the grand prize for the individual winner taking home more than a trophy. The individual winner of the 2026 NGI will punch a ticket to the Butterfield Bermuda Championship on the PGA Tour circuit, set for Oct. 22-26 at Port Royal Golf Course in Southhampton, Bermuda. Notable PGA players who competed in last year's edition include Alex Smalley, Camilo Villegas, Seamus Power, Matti Schmid, Sahith Theegala, Brandt Snedeker and Matt Kuchar.
Junior Gavin O'Neill made his claim to earn that PGA tournament exemption, shooting a career low 64 with nine birdies to just one bogey. O'Neill came right out of the gate with three straight birdies on holes 1-3 and finished the front nine 4 under. It only got better from there as the Irishman birdied five of his last six holes including four straight from holes 13-16.
His lone blemish came on the par 3, 17th, a bogey that set him just one shot shy of the program's single round low of 63, held by multiple Lopes and most recently teammate Nixon Lauritzen last season at Ak-Chin Southern Dunes.
O'Neill is tied for first with Wyoming's Brody Leid and is one of three Lopes in the top 10 after day one.
Joining him are sophomore duo Måns Boje and Lauritzen, who carded 4 under totals, both of whom tallied an eagle to their name and are tied for ninth. Boje had just one bogey for his round and went 3 under on the back nine, while Lauritzen had four birdies with 2 under showings on both the front and back.
Sophomore Matthew Diehl went 1 under (T-20th) with three birdies, two bogeys and 13 pars, while classmate Erik Rengardt is tied for 36th at 1 over.
GCU's 23 birdies are third most of the field and are one of three teams with multiple eagles so far this tournament.
Round two tee times begin tomorrow at 9:25 a.m.
Players Mentioned
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