AKUMAL, Mexico (September 28, 2026) – Freshman
Kaden Frierson continued a strong collegiate debut Monday, carding a 3-over-par 75 to move into a tie for 14th individually as Lubbock Christian University completed the second round of the DII Shootout at PGA Riviera Maya.
The Chaparrals improved six strokes from Sunday's opening round, following a 313 with a 307 (+19) for a 36-hole total of 620 (+44). LCU sits 10th entering Tuesday's final 18 holes of the 54-hole event at Tulum Country Club at PGA Riviera Maya.
Frierson, making his collegiate debut this week, followed Sunday's 77 with a 75 Monday to reach 152 (+8) through two rounds. The Austin, Texas, native moved eight places on the individual leaderboard and is tied for 14th entering the final round.
After opening his round with a birdie at the par-4 first hole, Frierson played his first nine in 36 before turning in a 39 on the back. He has recorded a team-high six birdies through 36 holes and has played the course's eight par-5 holes at 1-under. Frierson has also been LCU's most effective player on the par-4s, averaging 4.15 and sitting 3-over on those holes for the tournament.
Hunter Welch provided LCU's second-lowest round Monday, improving five strokes from his opening-round 81 with a 76 (+4). Welch, a Midland College transfer making his LCU debut, climbed into a tie for 34th at 157 (+13).
Welch's round was highlighted by an eagle, giving LCU its first of the tournament. He has played the par-5 holes particularly well through two days, sitting 3-under with a 4.63 scoring average, tied among the tournament leaders in that category. Welch has also collected five birdies through 36 holes.
Hudson Reagan matched Welch's position on the leaderboard, following Sunday's 79 with a 78 (+6) to sit tied for 34th at 157 (+13). Reagan has been LCU's strongest performer on the par-3 holes, playing them at 2-under through two rounds with a 2.75 scoring average. He is one of only five players in the field to play the par-3s at 2-under or better.
Senior
Noel Bondesson supplied LCU's fourth counting score Monday with a 78 (+6), a seven-stroke improvement from his opening 85. Bondesson sits 48th at 163 (+19) after two rounds.
Leyton Hiebert, who led LCU with an opening-round 76 Sunday in his first appearance for the Chaparrals since Oct. 21, 2024, carded an 88 in the second round and is 49th at 164 (+20).
LCU has totaled 93 pars and 17 birdies through two rounds, while Welch's eagle gives the Chaparrals one of six eagles recorded in the field. The Chaps are 13-over on the par-3 holes, 48-over on the par-4s and 12-over on the par-5s.
Colorado Mesa maintained the team lead with rounds of 289 and 298 for a 587 total, two strokes ahead of UT Permian Basin at 589. UT Tyler made the largest move near the top of the standings with a second-round 290 and sits third at 593. Western New Mexico follows at 609, while Texas A&M-Texarkana and Cal State East Bay are tied for fifth at 610.
UT Tyler's Blake Harwell owns the individual lead after following an even-par 72 with a 4-under 68 for a 140 total. Colorado Mesa's Henry Starr is second at 144, while Baptiste Laborde of Colorado Mesa and Dian Wilmot of UT Permian Basin are tied for third at 145.
The tournament is LCU's season-opening event and its second consecutive appearance at PGA Riviera Maya. The 2025 event marked the first international competition in program history, making this week's tournament the Chaparrals' second international appearance.
For Frierson, Monday's round continued an encouraging collegiate debut, while Welch has now posted back-to-back counting rounds in his first tournament representing LCU.
The DII Shootout at PGA Riviera Maya concludes Tuesday with the third and final round at Tulum Country Club.
