Virgilio Paz Claims First Title; Men’s Golf Leads Canadian Collegiate – University of Missouri Athletics

University of Missouri men’s golf is off to a strong start in the 2024-25 campaign. Junior Virgilio Paz won his first individual title at the collegiate level, earning medalist honors at the Golfweek “Put Me In Coach” Invitational in Muncie, Indiana. Additionally, the Tigers currently sit in first place in their first team competition of the season at the Canadian Collegiate Invitational.

Entering the final round of play in Indiana just one stroke shy of the lead, Paz birdied three-straight holes on two, three and four to move in front. Another birdie on the 17th hole allowed him to finish in a two-way tie for first place with Michael Weber of Miami (Ohio) with Paz securing the crown in a playoff victory.

Overall, Paz finished the three-round tournament with a one-under 209 (71-68-70). All four Tigers in the competition finished in the top 15 with three in the top five. Joining Paz at the top of the leaderboard was freshman Trent Mierl, who finished third at even par (72-71-67), including the lowest score of the day in round three with a three-under 67. Trevor Mierl in fifth at +3 (70-71-72) and Jakob Hansen at 14th at +7 (73-69-75) rounded out the tournament for MU.

The Tigers are also set to take an 11-stroke lead into the final round of the Canadian Collegiate Invitational. Mizzou posted the low score in each round with its seven-under in the opening 18 holes first by one stroke and its 15-under in round two topping the field by six strokes. Overall, at -22, MU leads second-place Michigan and Notre Dame, who are both at -11.

Three Mizzou golfers rank in the top five in Canada with sophomore Veikka Viskari leading the way at eight-under. After an opening round 69, Viskari matched his career-best score with a five-under 67 in round two. Overall, Viskari carded one eagle and nine birdies (against just three bogeys) in his debut 36 holes with the Tigers.

Senior Dagbjartur Sigurbrandsson and sophomore Brock Snyder both sit in fifth place after the opening two rounds at -7. Snyder (69-68) led Mizzou with 16 birdies on the day, playing his final 15 holes of the day at eight-under with nine birdies and one bogey to move into the top five. Sigubrandsson (69-68) added nine birdies and one eagle to become the third Tiger to finish the first two rounds in the top five.

Mizzou looks to finish off its quest for a title in the season opener on Tuesday morning with the schools teeing off at 7:30 a.m. CT.