The Mustangs charge up the leaderboard, earning third place in an elite field. Sides and Post lead the surge with stellar rounds, eyeing a championship run.
The SMU men’s golf team proved on Monday that patience pays off. After a sluggish opening stretch, the Mustangs flipped the switch and charged up the leaderboard at the Southwestern Invitational, finishing Day 1 tied for third in one of the most competitive fields they’ll see all season.
This wasn’t just any tournament. Every team in the field is ranked inside the top 100 nationally, with eight sitting in the top 50.
Against that kind of depth, surviving the day is an accomplishment. Thriving is something else entirely - and that’s exactly what SMU did.
The Mustangs found their rhythm over the final two-thirds of the round, stringing together quality scores that vaulted them into the top three, trailing only UNLV and host Pepperdine.
Just as important, they ended the day ahead of six teams ranked inside the top 50, a strong signal that this group can compete deep into the spring.
Leading the way was Will Sides, who continues to look every bit like one of the hottest players in college golf.
Fresh off his win at the Jones Cup, Sides posted a 69, his 11th par-or-better round in just 13 rounds this season. After an early stumble, he settled in quickly, playing the remainder of the round at 3-under and closing his front nine with birdies on three of the final four holes.
Gabe Post matched Sides with a 69 and delivered one of the day’s highlight moments, carding an eagle on a long par-5.
The round marked the first time in his collegiate career that he’s broken into the 60s, a confidence-building milestone that could set the tone for the final two rounds.
Right behind them sits Christian Clark, who turned in a steady even-par 70 with just two bogeys. It was his 10th par-or-better round of the year, reinforcing how reliable his game has become in pressure situations.
Depth mattered, too. Zachary Kingsland added four birdies on his way to a 73, while Matthew Foster closed strong, playing his final 10 holes at 3-under with an eagle mixed in.
With two rounds still to play, SMU has positioned itself exactly where it wants to be ... within striking distance, confident, and trending upward.
If the Mustangs continue this balance of aggression and composure, they’ll be right in the hunt when trophies are handed out.