It’s hard to imagine Jacob Sosa beginning the 2023 Southwestern Collegiate any better.
All the freshman at Texas did Monday was etch his name in the record books at Texas for the lowest 18-hole score in program history. He shot an 11-under 61 at North Ranch Country Club in Westlake Village, California, besting the old record by two strokes. Previously, four Longhorns had shot 63: Gavin Hall (2016-17), Brandon Stone (2012-13), David Gossett (2000 NCAA Championship) and Justin Leonard (1994 NCAA Championship).
Additionally, Sosa’s 61 was a tournament and course record and the lowest 18-hole round ever played at North Ranch Country Club. He carded three eagles, five birdies and no bogeys to help Texas take the first-round team lead with 36 holes to play.
Two more Texas freshmen were in the top six as well, with Keaton Vo shooting 5 under and Christiaan Maas carding a 4-under score.
Sosa led Arizona State’s Luke Potter by four shots entering Tuesday’s second round. Texas held a five-shot lead over Arizona State in the team competition.
The second and third rounds of the Southwestern Collegiate will be broadcast on Golf Channel from 4:30-7:30 p.m. ET. Live scoring can be found here.