AUSTIN – McNeese's Blake Elliott flipped the script in the second nine holes from the first as the individual qualifier posted an even-par score of 71 after shooting a 3-under in the back nine and is tied for 13^th place on the individual leaderboard following the first round of the NCAA Men's Golf Austin Regional here Monday.
 
Elliott, the 21^st-ranked player in the nation, shot three bogeys in the front nine and made the turn with a 38 and 3-over par.
 
After hitting a par on No. 10, Elliott went birdie-par-birdie on the next three holes to get to 1-over. He then sank an eagle on the par 5, 14^th hole to get him to 1-under for the round.
 
He then hit par-par-par before shooting a bogey on the 18^th hole.
 
University of Texas' Coody Pierceson tops the leaderboard at 5-under par while three other golfers are tied for second at 4-under.
 
Pepperdine and Texas are tied atop the team leaderboard, followed by TCU, Arkansas and Clemson to round out the top five.
 
The top five teams and next five individuals not associated with those teams will advance to the NCAA Championships. Right now, Elliott is in that mix for the top five individuals to advance.
 
Elliott will tee off the second round at 10:04 Tuesday morning on hole No. 1.