TUCSON, Ariz. — University of Utah golfer Dustin Pimm fired a 6-under par 66 to take the first-round lead at the NCAA West Regionals at the Tucson National Golf Club.
Meanwhile, the BYU golf team is tied for fourth place after the first round of the NCAA West Regionals, nine strokes behind leader Florida.
Pimm, a sophomore from Sandy, is the individual leader in the 141-golfer field. He had two eagles on the day, in addition to five birdies and three bogeys under hot and windy conditions.
"I played really well," said Pimm. "I putted really well today. I owe it all to my putting."
Led by Mountain West Conference player of the year Jake Ellison, the Cougars combined for a 6-under par 282 total and are tied with Nevada and North Carolina State, nine strokes behind the Gators.
The Gators, ranked No. 2 in the nation, had three players, James Vargas, Billy Horschel and Matt Every, shoot 67s, good for a tie for second behind Pimm in the tournament. Arizona is second at 279, while Fresno State is third at 280.
Besides Ellison, the Cougars counted a 70 from Nick Becker and even-par 72s by Clay Ogden and Oscar Alvarez.
Surprisingly, the non-counter for BYU in the best-four-of-five scoring format was Daniel Summerhays, who shot a 1-over par 73.
Summerhays has been the team's hottest player this spring and was coming off a 61 at the Rose Park Open on Saturday and a 66 at the U.S. Open qualifying Monday.
The top 10 teams in the 54-hole tournament will qualify for the NCAA tournament, which starts later this month at Sunriver, Oregon.
Pimm is playing as a individual because the Utah team didn't qualify, and if he finishes as one of the two low individuals in the tournament, he will move on to the NCAAs.
Former East High standout Sterling Clark shot a 78 for the Washington team and stands in a tie for 128th place individually.