FLOSSMOOR, Ill. (April 26, 2021) – The Loyola University Chicago men's golf team finds itself just 18 holes away from winning its first MVC title in program history following a dominant 36-hole effort on the opening day of the Missouri Valley Conference Championship today in Flossmoor, Ill.
 
Loyola finished the first 36 holes of action at the Flossmoor Country Club (par 72, 7,070 yards) with a team score of 592 (291-301) to open up a 19-shot lead over second-place Southern Illinois (309-302=611).  Illinois State (307-306=613) sits third, while Missouri State (307-308=615) and Bradley (297-318=615) are tied for fourth.
 
Senior Devin Johnson is on the verge of becoming the first Rambler in program history to take home The Valley's individual title after a terrific effort today in Chicago's southwest suburbs.  The Geneva, Ill. native opened his day with a two-under-par 70 before carding a one-under-par 71 during the afternoon to surge to the top of the individual leaderboard with a three-under-par 141 (70-71). 
 
Johnson, who finished the opening day of competition with a tournament-high 11 birdies, owns an eight-stroke edge over Valparaiso's Caleb VanArragon, who resides in second after tallying a 149 (73-76).
 
The pairing of senior Justin LaFrance and sophomore Timmy Crawford are part of a four-way tie for third place after both posted six-over-par 150s.  After shooting an opening-round 77, LaFrance, out of Milford, Mich., shaved four strokes off his morning total, turning in a one-over-par 73 that included four birdies.  Crawford, a product of Arlington Heights, Ill., was consistent, recording respective rounds of 74 and 76, matching LaFrance's birdie total in his second round.
 
Senior Ryan Magee, making the first postseason appearance of his career, also resides in the top 15.  Magee recorded a first-round two-over-par 74 en route to a 155 (74-81) that has him tied for 14^th place.  Sophomore Zach Walsh is part of a tie for 26^th with a 158 (73-85) which was highlighted by an opening-round one-over-par 73.
 
Final-round play at the MVC Championship will begin at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday in Flossmoor, Ill.  Fans are permitted, but are required to wear a face covering and abide by social-distancing guidelines.  Live scoring will be available through Golfstat.com.