Senior Virgilio Paz is making headlines at the 2026 SEC Men’s Golf Championship. He kicked off the tournament with a record-setting round of 64, putting him in second place among 80 players. Paz’s performance was impressive; he birdied three of his first six holes and ended the round with six birdies and no bogeys. This score is the lowest ever for a Mizzou athlete at a conference tournament, surpassing the previous record set by Charlie Crockett in 2023.
Not only did Paz achieve a personal best, but his score of 64 also marks a significant moment in Mizzou history. The previous record for any conference championship dating back to 1935 was a four-under 66. It’s worth noting that golf scores have become more competitive over the years, reflecting advancements in training and technology. For example, modern golf balls and clubs have improved players’ ability to achieve lower scores.
The Tigers as a team finished the opening round with a score of -5, landing them in 10th place, just three strokes behind the top eight teams moving forward to match play. They are tied with LSU, the eighth-ranked team, showcasing the competitiveness of this year’s field. The team’s score of 275 is also noteworthy, just one stroke away from their best performance at a conference championship, which was set in 2014.
Junior Veikka Viskari and freshman Esteban Cruz Bonilla contributed solidly with scores of one-under 69, placing them 31st overall. This shows that Mizzou has depth in its lineup. Meanwhile, sophomore Trent Mierl and junior Brock Snyder completed the team scores with 73 and 74, respectively.
As the Tigers prepare for the next round, there’s a buzz of excitement about their chances. Team manager Sam Johnson noted, “We have the tools to compete at a high level, and today’s performance has given us a solid foundation.” With the tournament continuing on Thursday morning at 8:15 a.m. CT, all eyes will be on Mizzou as they strive for that coveted SEC Championship.
Research indicates that teams frequently improve their performance as tournaments progress, often leading to surprising comebacks. This could be the Tigers’ moment to shine, especially with players like Paz leading the way.
