University of Richmond Athletics
Rizo-Patron in Second at A-10 Championship
04/27/2026 | Men's Golf
ORLANDO, Fla. — Playing in his first conference championship, Lucas Rizo-Patron seemed anything but nervous as the Spiders freshman fired a 4-under 68 in Round of the Atlantic 10 Championship Monday at Evermore Resort. He is in solo second place, one shot out of the lead, with 36 holes remaining.
"I was just trying to have a lot of fun," said Rizo-Patron. "That was really key. Relaxing and staying happy."
As a team, Richmond is tied for fifth in the 12-team field at 8-over par (296). VCU has the 18-hole lead at 3-under par (285), one shot better than George Mason. The two have separated themselves from teams three through six on the leaderboard: Dayton at +5 (293), George Washington at +7 (295), and Richmond and Rhode Island at +8.
Rizo-Patron made five birdies Monday, with his only blemish being a bogey at the par-4 5th hole. Rizo-Patron, a four-time Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Week during the season, made three straight birdies on holes 13-15 to shoot towards the top of the leaderboard. He is just one shot behind 18-hole leader Carson Looney of VCU.
"Mentally, I was really good," said Rizo-Patron. "The course is playing pretty hard, so just try to keep yourself in the right spots and commit to the shots you've got to hit."
Junior Quin Polin is also in the top 10 after opening with an even-par 72. He matched five bogeys with five birdies Monday and is seeking his third top-10 finish in his last five events this week.
Sophomore Carson Baez is tied for 27th at 3-over par (75) after closing his round with a pair of bogeys.
Junior Jack LaPiana, who has finished in the top 15 in each of his two previous starts at this event, is tied for 49th at 9-over par (81), one shot in front of junior Parker Moellinger, who's tied for 55th at 10-over par. Moellinger played his final six holes in 2-under par.
Richmond combined for 18 birdies in Round 1, second most of any team, but managed just 44 pars, fewest in the field.
"I think approach shots are pretty hard, especially with how [the wind] blows so much," said Rizo-Patron of the course layout. "So just being really mindful and hitting your shots is really important."
The Spiders will be paired with George Washington and Rhode Island in Round 2, with tee times beginning at 7:30 AM off the first tee.
"I was just trying to have a lot of fun," said Rizo-Patron. "That was really key. Relaxing and staying happy."
As a team, Richmond is tied for fifth in the 12-team field at 8-over par (296). VCU has the 18-hole lead at 3-under par (285), one shot better than George Mason. The two have separated themselves from teams three through six on the leaderboard: Dayton at +5 (293), George Washington at +7 (295), and Richmond and Rhode Island at +8.
Rizo-Patron made five birdies Monday, with his only blemish being a bogey at the par-4 5th hole. Rizo-Patron, a four-time Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Week during the season, made three straight birdies on holes 13-15 to shoot towards the top of the leaderboard. He is just one shot behind 18-hole leader Carson Looney of VCU.
"Mentally, I was really good," said Rizo-Patron. "The course is playing pretty hard, so just try to keep yourself in the right spots and commit to the shots you've got to hit."
Junior Quin Polin is also in the top 10 after opening with an even-par 72. He matched five bogeys with five birdies Monday and is seeking his third top-10 finish in his last five events this week.
Sophomore Carson Baez is tied for 27th at 3-over par (75) after closing his round with a pair of bogeys.
Junior Jack LaPiana, who has finished in the top 15 in each of his two previous starts at this event, is tied for 49th at 9-over par (81), one shot in front of junior Parker Moellinger, who's tied for 55th at 10-over par. Moellinger played his final six holes in 2-under par.
Richmond combined for 18 birdies in Round 1, second most of any team, but managed just 44 pars, fewest in the field.
"I think approach shots are pretty hard, especially with how [the wind] blows so much," said Rizo-Patron of the course layout. "So just being really mindful and hitting your shots is really important."
The Spiders will be paired with George Washington and Rhode Island in Round 2, with tee times beginning at 7:30 AM off the first tee.
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