McDonagh’s Standout Round Leads Rocky Men to a Tenth Place Tie Following Round One of the NAIA Men’s Golf National Championship

| By: Brandon Stinson: Sports Information & Media Coordinator
May 12, 2026

SILVIS, Ill.- Senior Aidan McDonagh carded one of only eight under-par rounds on Tuesday, leading Rocky Men's Golf to a tie for 10th place following the opening round of the NAIA Men's Golf National Championship at TPC Deere Run. 

The Battlin' Bears are well-positioned heading into the second round. With a team score of 15-over-par (295), Rocky sits in a four-way tie for 10th, just five strokes back from third place. The field will be narrowed to the top 15 teams (including ties) following Wednesday's action.

Senior Aidan McDonagh (Melbourne, Australia) fired a one-under-par 69 to sit tied for 5th place individually, just one stroke off the lead. McDonagh paced the field with six birdies and led all players in par-3 scoring at 3-under.

Freshman Sam Norman (Laurel, Montana) recorded 12 pars and two birdies to finish with a score of four-over-par 74, placing him tied for 52nd. 

Nathan Piers (Edmonton, Alberta) and Kristjan Burkelca (Domzale, Slovenia) rounded out Rocky scorers tied for 78th overall, as both Battlin' Bears shot six-over-par 76. Burkelca bounced back on the back nine with eight holes of par, while Piers had an up-and-down afternoon with four birdies but four bogeys. 

Freshman Alexander Brester (Billings, Montana) concluded the Battlin' Bear competitors with a nine-over-par 79. Despite a difficult start, Brester rallied on the back nine with three birdies to card a 37 over his final nine holes.

Up Next
The Battlin' Bears look to climb the leaderboard tomorrow morning. The Battlin' Bear tee times for the second round begin at 7:40 AM (MT), with Rocky starting their round on Hole 10 at TPC Deere Run. 
 

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