PADUCAH, Ky. (April 24, 2022) – Graduate student Ryan Magee finds himself just four strokes off the individual lead after the first day of action for the Loyola University Chicago men's golf team at the Missouri Valley Conference Men's Golf Championship in Paducah, Ky.
 
The Ramblers finished the opening 18 holes of play at the Country Club of Paducah (par 72; 7,014 yards) with a team score of 310 that has them just a shot back of fifth-place Missouri State (309).  Host Southern Illinois (295) resides atop the team standings, while the Salukis' Matthis Besard and Drake's Silvester Tan share the individual lead after both handed in one-under-par rounds of 71.
 
Magee finds himself as part of a five-way tie for 10^th place following an opening-round three-over-par 75.  The Hawthorn Woods, Ill. native finished the day with three birdies, two of which came as part of an even-par effort on the back nine.
 
One shot back of Magee on the individual leaderboard is junior Timmy Crawford.  A 2021 All-Valley pick, Crawford racked up a team-best 11 pars during today's first round en route to a four-over-par 76 that has him tied for 15^th.  Graduate student Devin Johnson, who, like Crawford, was named All-MVC a season ago, is tied for 25^th following a round of 79.
 
Junior Zach Walsh posted an 80 to move into a tie for 28^th, while redshirt senior Tyler Anderson resides in 45^th with an 88.
 
Due to impending weather, the second round of the Missouri Valley Conference Championship will begin with a 10:30 a.m. shotgun start on Monday morning.