PGA TOUR University No. 1 Ben James opens with 4-under 68 at NCAA Championship

Virginia senior Ben James, ranked No. 1 in PGA TOUR University, opened the NCAA Championship in Carlsbad, California with a 4-under 68, maintaining a 61-point lead over No. 2 Christiaan Maas of Texas, who shot a first-round 76. James is on track to potentially join Florida State's John Pak (2021) as the only players to hold the No. 1 ranking every week of their senior season. Team-wise, UCLA leads at 8-under, followed by No. 1-ranked Auburn at 4-under, while Virginia sits T10 at even par and Texas is T6 at 1-under.