Marquette T-6 at NCAA Austin Regional

AUSTIN, Texas — Seniors Oliver Farrell and Austin Kendziorski led Marquette with opening round 72s, as the Golden Eagles made a late round push into a tie for sixth after 18 holes of the NCAA Austin Regional at University of Texas Golf Course.

Marquette's 6-over-par 290 on the Par 71, 7,355-yard layout marked a program-best NCAA single round score. The Golden Eagles are making their fourth team NCAA regional appearance.

MU, tied with USC for sixth, enters second round play six shots behind fifth place Clemson - the top five teams and the top individual from a non-advancing team move on to the NCAA Championships.

An 81 degree, sunny and calm day gave Marquette a chance to rally back from a 4-over-par front nine, as the Golden Eagles made eight birdies to come in at 2-over-par.

A beautiful day and stunning visuals in Austin helped tell the story of Round 1 of MU's #NCAAGolf journey. pic.twitter.com/G8bccjzjOT
— Marquette Golf (@MarquetteMGolf) May 13, 2019

Both Farrell and Kendziorski are tied for 22nd, six shots off the lead set by Texas's Pierceson Coody at 5-under-par. Farrell's day was steady - he made 13 pars and a pair of birdies at No. 9 and No. 11, while Kendziorski rode a wave of alternating birdies and bogeys, but went 1-under-par in the day's final eight holes.

MU's 16 birdies were tied for second most in the field with host Texas. Pepperdine's 20 birdie makes helped the Waves to a 6-under-par opening round, tied with the Longhorns for the top spot.