May 23, 2024 • by Jeff Melton
Three strokes separate the top three teams following Thursday's third round of the 72nd Annual NAIA Men's Golf National Championship at Dalton Golf and Country Club.
Texas Wesleyan, who held a four-stroke advantage entering today's round, leads by one stroke over second-place Dalton State (Ga.) with 18 holes remaining in the championship. Columbia (Mo.) who recorded the best team round of the tournament today is third, three strokes back.
The final round is scheduled for 7 a.m. ET. The schedule change is due to forecasted inclement weather in the Dalton area.
Columbia shot a team-total 1-over par 289 in the third round to make up 11 strokes on the leaders. The Cougars sit in third with a team total of 892 (301-302-289).
Texas Wesleyan held its spot atop the leaderboard today with a team-total 300 over the 7,043 yards, par-72 layout. The Rams, who have won seven NAIA men's golf national titles in the program's history, boast a three-round total of 889 (295-294-300).
Dalton State made up three strokes during today's 297 round. The Roadrunners own a team score of 890 (295-298-297) over the three days. Keiser's (Fla.) 896 (291-306-299) and British Columbia's 901 (299-304-298) complete the top five.
Truett McConnell's (Ga.) Peyton Shedd continues atop the individual leaderboard. He is the lone golfer at even par following three rounds of play. Shedd's 216 (71-71-74) is one shot clear of Wayland Baptist's (Texas) Benjamin Lubker and two shots in front of three other golfers.
Lubker heads to the final round with a 1-over par 217 (73-71-73), while Coastal Georgia'sAntonio Juarbe (73-72-73), Texas Wesleyan's Juan Ricardo Davila Bone (71-74-73), and Dalton State's Jack Whaley (71-73-74) are all tied for third with 2-over par 218s.
The Master's (Calif.) Jonathan Larson carded the lone sub-par round on Thursday. Larson shot a 1-under par 71 to climb six spots into a tie for ninth place. He owns a three-round total of 220 (76-73-71).