SANFORD, N.C.  The No. 3-ranked Methodist men's golf team sits atop the leaderboard after two rounds of the 2026 USA South Men's Golf Championship, posting a team score of 580 (+4) at Carolina Trace Country Club. The Monarchs opened the tournament with a five-over 293 before improving by six strokes in round two with a one-under 287 to take a commanding lead into the final round.

THE ESSENTIALS
Event: 2026 USA South Men's Golf Championship
Location: Carolina Trace CC (Par 72 ­­– 6,988); Sanford, North Carolina
Top teams: 1 – No. 3 Methodist (293-287–580, +4), 2 – No. 32 Southern Virginia University (305-312–617, +41), T3 – Greensboro College (304-315–619, +43), T3 – Pfeiffer University (314-305–619, +43)
Top individuals: 1 – Haden Ruby, Methodist (71-68–139, -5), 2 – Beau Brewer, Methodist (76-70–146, +2), 3 – Nikko Taggart (73-75–148, +4)

FIRST TWO ROUNDS

• Senior Haden Ruby leads the field after two rounds with a tournament score of 139 (-5). Ruby opened with a one-under 71 before firing a four-under 68 in round two, recording five birdies in each round and adding an eagle in his second round.
• Senior Beau Brewer sits in second place at 146 (+2). After a four-over 76 in the opening round, Brewer rebounded with a strong two-under 70 in round two, highlighted by four birdies.
• Junior Todd Moyer is tied for fourth with a two-round total of 149 (+5). Moyer posted rounds of 75 and 74 while collecting seven total birdies across the two rounds.
• Senior Jonny Lewis is in sixth place with a total score of 150 (+6) after shooting 75 in both rounds. He recorded four birdies, all coming during his second round.
• Sophomore William Plageman rounds out the Monarch lineup in seventh place with a score of 151 (+7). Plageman opened with an even-par round before carding a 79 in round two.

UP NEXT
Methodist returns to the course on Wednesday, April 22, for the final round of the USA South Championship. The first Monarch is scheduled to tee off at 9:35 AM.