UNCW, Rico Remain Ahead Through Two Rounds of 2026 CAA Men’s Golf Championship

4/27/2026 7:00:00 PM

Dylan Smith

CHAMPIONSHIP CENTRAL | RESULTS | PHOTO GALLERY | LIVE STATS (CLIPP’D) | PAIRINGS/TEE TIMES

ST. HELENA ISLAND, S.C. – UNCW’s James Rico went nearly bogey-free again to help himself and the Seahawks maintain their top spot on both leaderboards on Monday following the second round of the 2026 CAA Men’s Golf Championship at Dataw Island Golf Club in St. Helena Island, S.C.

UNCW sits seven strokes ahead with an impressive 18-under through two rounds. Rico will carry a three-stroke lead into the final round after shooting a 2-under 70. The senior has also gone bogey-free on 35 of his 36 holes through two days. Gray Mitchum continued to be a bright spot for the Seahawks and sits in a four-way tie for fourth with Campbell’s William Sundborn, North Carolina A&T’s Ignacio Zapata and, one of the round’s top performers, Elon’s Dylan Lewis.

The Camels (-11) and the Phoenix (-9) are still in the hunt and will partner up with the Seahawks on the final day, opening the third round at 9 a.m. from the first hole. Elon’s Lewis rose 16 spots following his 3-under 69 this afternoon, keeping the Phoenix within striking distance. Joachim Larsen Tegner leads the charge for Campbell at 5-under, one of four golfers to eagle on the afternoon with a three-shot finish on the 13^th hole to help conclude the round tied for second with Towson’s Ariihau Faana.

Drexel’s Kevin Lydon, Elon’s Drew Yeagley and Charleston’s Johan Bredenkamp increased the tournament’s eagle count to 11 on the weekend, all sinking their attempts quickly on the first, third and eighth holes, respectively.

The Tigers are tied for fourth with Charleston heading into the final round and they will be paired with North Carolina A&T at 8 a.m. from hole one. The Cougars’ Loran Appel and Johan Bredenkamp wrapped up the second round inside the top 10, both shooting a 3-under through two rounds and joining William & Mary’s Talon Dingledine and Campbell’s Erik Johansson among the crowd tied for eighth.

Hofstra and Monmouth, as well as Drexel and the Tribe, will be paired up to start Tuesday’s action from the 10^th hole, both teeing off at 8 a.m. and 9 a.m., respectively.

Team Leaderboard
1.         UNCW                                      276-282 | 558
2.         Campbell                               277-288 | 565
3.         Elon                                          280-287 | 567
T4.      Charleston                           281-288 | 569
Towson                                278-291 | 569
6. North Carolina A&T                 288-292 | 580
T7.      Drexel                                        287-299 | 586
William & Mary                       292-294 | 586
9.         Hofstra                                     293-311 | 604
10.      Monmouth                                 299-313 | 612

Individual Leaderboard
1           James Rico, UNCW 66-70 | 136
T2.      Ariihau Faana, Towson 67-72 | 139
              Joachim Larsen Tegner, Campbell 69-70 | 139
T4.      Ignacio Zapata, Towson 68-72 | 140
              William Sundborn, Campbell 68-72 | 140
              Grey Mitchum, UNCW 68-72 | 140
              Dylan Lewis, Elon 71-69 | 140
T8.      Four Players Tied 141

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