tourThe 14th-ranked University of Minnesota men's golf team is in a tie for 11th place Thursday after carding an opening team score of 1-under-par 287 at the NCAA Central Regional. Illinois leads the tournament with a score of 275 (-13), followed by Southern Methodist at 277. Other Big Ten schools include Northwestern tied for 11th (287), Michigan State in 15th (289) and Ohio State tied for 21st (293). The Central Regional is being held at the par 72, 7,228-yard Colbert Hills Golf Course in Manhattan, Kan.

Senior Simon Nash (Pullanvale, Australia/St. Joseph's) shot a round of 2-under 70 for a tie at 21st place. Junior Justin Smith (Moon Township, Pa./Moon Area), last year's medallist in the West Regional, opened this year's event with a 71 (-1) to tie for 31st. Fellow junior David Morgan (Rochester, Minn./Robert L. Stevenson) carded a score of even-par to tie for 44th place. Seniors Matt Anderson (Edina, Minn./Edina) and Wilhelm Schauman (Djursholm, Sweden/Victor Rydberg) both shot 2-over 74 to sit tied for 84th.

The Central Regional will continue Friday and Saturday with 18 holes being played each day.

Team Scores - Day One NCAA Central Regional Colbert Hills Golf Course Par 72, 7,228 yards 1. Illinois 275 (-13) 2. Southern Methodist 277 (-11) 3. Kentucky 281 (-7) Lamar 281 (-7) 5. North Carolina 283 (-5) North Carolina State 283 (-5) 7. Oklahoma State 285 (-3) North Texas 285 (-3) Texas 285 (-3) 10. Arkansas 286 (-2) 11. Minnesota 287 (-1) Kansas State 287 (-1) TCU 287 (-1) Northwestern 287 (-1) 15. Michigan State 289 (+1) 16. Baylor 290 (+2) Wichita State 290 (+2) 18. Tulsa 291 (+3) Kent State 291 (+3) 20. Oklahoma 292 (+4) 21. Ohio State 293 (+5) 22. Toledo 295 (+7) Kansas 295 (+7) 24. Texas A&M 296 (+8) Texas Tech 296 (+8) 26. Wright State 297 (+9) 27. Missouri 298 (+10)

Golden Gopher Scores T21. Simon Nash 70 (-2) T31. Justin Smith 71 (-1) T44. David Morgan 72 (E) T84. Matt Anderson 74 (+2) T84. Wilhelm Schauman 74 (+2)