AKUMAL, Mexico (September 27, 2026) –
Leyton Hiebert marked his return to the Lubbock Christian University lineup by leading the Chaparrals with a 4-over-par 76 Sunday as LCU opened its 2026-27 season at the DII Shootout at PGA Riviera Maya.
Playing the first of three rounds at Tulum Country Club at PGA Riviera Maya, LCU posted a 313 (+25) on the par-72, 6,980-yard layout and sits tied for seventh with UT Dallas in the 10-team field.
Hiebert, an Idalou, Texas, native and Frenship High School product, competed for LCU for the first time since Oct. 21, 2024. He turned in matching nine-hole scores of 38 to finish tied for 17th after the opening round.
The returning Chap recorded 13 pars, the most by an LCU player Sunday, and added a birdie. Hiebert was particularly steady on the par-4 holes, playing the course's 10 par-4s at even-par with a 4.00 scoring average.
Freshman
Kaden Frierson made his collegiate debut and finished one stroke behind Hiebert with a 5-over 77. The Austin, Texas, native and Westlake High School graduate sits tied for 22nd after recording 12 pars and a birdie. Frierson played the course's four par-5 holes at even-par and was 2-over across the par-4s.
Junior
Hudson Reagan followed with a 79 (+7) to sit tied for 28th. The Brownwood, Texas, native recorded 11 pars and played all four par-3 holes at even-par, the best par-3 performance among the Chaparrals.
Hunter Welch also made his LCU debut Sunday after transferring from Midland College. The Lubbock native and Frenship High School graduate carded an 81 (+9) and sits tied for 38th. Welch led LCU with three birdies and played the four par-5 holes at even-par.
Senior
Noel Bondesson rounded out the lineup with an 85 (+13). The Landskrona, Sweden, native recorded seven pars and a birdie and enters the second round in 48th place. 26.
LCU combined for 51 pars during the opening round, tying UT Tyler for fourth-most in the field, while adding six birdies. The Chaparrals averaged 3.50 on the par-3 holes (+10), 4.36 on par-4s (+18) and 5.50 on par-5s (+10).
Colorado Mesa grabbed the opening-round team lead with a 289 (+1), five strokes ahead of UT Permian Basin at 294 (+6). UT Tyler sits third at 303 (+15), followed by Western New Mexico at 306 (+18), Texas A&M-Texarkana at 308 (+20) and West Texas A&M at 310 (+22).
LCU and UT Dallas are tied for seventh at 313 (+25), four strokes ahead of Team Mexico and five ahead of Cal State East Bay. 26_27_MGO_Mexico_Day1
Colorado Mesa's Colby Hutton and UT Permian Basin's Laurent Beech share the individual lead after opening with 1-under 71s. Dylan Everett of Colorado Mesa and Blake Harwell of UT Tyler are tied for third after even-par rounds of 72.
The tournament marks LCU's second consecutive appearance at the Shootout at PGA Riviera Maya. Last season's event was the first international tournament in program history, making this year's trip the Chaparrals' second international competition.
Sunday's round also represented several new beginnings for the lineup. Frierson made his first collegiate appearance, while Welch competed for LCU for the first time after beginning his college career at Midland College. Hiebert, meanwhile, returned to the Chaparrals after not competing for LCU during the 2025-26 season.
The 54-hole event continues Monday with the second round. LCU is scheduled to tee off at 11:10 a.m. at Tulum Country Club before the tournament concludes Tuesday with the final 18 holes.
