URBANA — Illinois senior Jackson Buchanan hasn’t had the final semester of college golf that most would expect from a two-time All-American and the 2024 Big Ten Golfer of the Year.
Buchanan has admittedly struggled with nine over-par rounds out of 21 this spring and his best finishes for the Fighting Illini have been third-place ties at the Boilermaker Invitational on April 19-20 and at the Big Ten Conference Tournament on April 25-27.
“You learn a lot from failure,’’ Buchanan said on Monday after firing a course-record round of 63 (8-under-par) at the Atkins Golf Club in Urbana.
But, it wasn’t just what he learned this spring that was different.
“A little more confident,’’ he said. “It has been a long semester. I haven’t had the most confidence. I think I’m one of the best players here, so believing that deep down, and enjoying myself.’’
Buchanan’s round also helped the Fighting Illini shoot a team score of 7-under 277, taking a two-shot leader over the Texas Tech Red Raiders (279). Rounding out the top five are UNLV (281), Troy (283) and then Marquette and Long Beach State tied at 285. Top five teams advanced to the NCAA National Tournament.
“It was a solid start,’’ said Illinois golf coach Mike Small, a native of Danville. “Obviously, Jackson was a horse today, which was awesome to see. A teams needs that every day, they need someone to get hot. That a sign of good team golf.’’
Buchanan’s round was bogey-free with eight birdies and 10 pars as he has a four shot advantage over Jake Springer from Troy, who shot a 4-under 67 on Monday.
Chipping and putting were key factors for Buchanan, especially on the fifth and sixth holes where he went par-birdie after some wayward tee shots.
“I was left on 5, which was fine. I was right on 6, which was fine. They look like terrible golf shots, but those aren’t that bad of spots,’’ said Buchanan, acknowledging a little home-course advantage helped. “That’s who I am. I’m that good of a chipper. I just have to bring it out of me. It’s easier to get in the way of yourself. My goal is to be an athlete.’’
Buchanan’s round is tied for the second-lowest individual score in program history, one shot off his own 62 shot at the Missouri’s Tiger Collegiate Invitational in 2023. It also matched the program record for a postseason event, originally set by Brian Campbell in the 2014 NCAA Championship, then matched by Dylan Meyer at the 2017 B1G Championship and equaled last season by teammate Max Herendeen at the 2024 NCAA Stanford Regional.
Herendeen, a junior, is tied for 19th this year after an even-par 71, while junior Ryan Voois is tied for 15th after an opening-round 70 with four birdies and three bogeys. Rounding out the Fighting Illini scorecard on Monday were freshman Jake Birdwell with a 2-over 73 and sophomore Ethan Wilson with a 6-over 77.
The three-round tournament continues today beginning at 8 a.m.
“I always think we are going to come out and do good, as a coach, you know that’s not always the case,’’ Small said. “I’m cautiously optimistic. I never want to be overly confident, think we are just going to roll and not respect your opponents. At the same point and time, I understand this is a hard game. Today was a solid day.’’
Buchanan echoed his coach’s statements.
“I don’t think anyone understands how much golf is left, the team in last can still get to the National Championship,’’ he said. “It’s nice to start out ahead, but it’s harder to play out ahead.’’
The Illinois State Redbirds are in eighth place after a first-round 5-over 289.
NCAA Division I Regional
Team scores — 1. Illinois 277 (-7), 2. Texas Tech 279 (-5), 3. UNLV 281 (-3), 4. Troy 283 (-1), 5. (tie) Marquette 285 (+1) and Long Beach State 285 (+1), 7. Oklahoma State 286 (+2), 8. Illinois State 289 (+5), 9. Pacific 290 (+6), 10. North Carolina State 291 (+7), 11. North Carolina 292 (+8), 12, Houston 295 (+11), 13. Wright State 299 (+15).
Individual leaders — 1. Jackson Buchanan (Illinois) 63 (-8), 2. Jake Springer (Troy) 67 (-4), 3. (tie) Patrick Adler (Marquette) 68 (-3), Calum Scott (Texas Tech) 68 (-3) and Caden Fioroni (UNLV) 68 (-3).
Illinois (277) — Jackson Buchanan 63 (-8), Ryan Voois 70 (-1), Max Herendeen 71 (E), Jake Birdwell 73 (+2), Ethan Wilson 77 (+6).