This year at the NCAA Super Regional tournament in Kentucky, the Wildcats are looking for redemption. Last year after winning the conference tournament, the Wildcats had a disappointing regional tournament and wound up on the outside looking in at the national tournament.

This year, the Wildcats, led by senior Cyril Bouniol, have come out roaring start. Defending national champion Bouniol led the Wildcat charge on Monday as the ‘Cats ended the day in second place outright. Bouniol had six birdies in his opening round and never had to square in a number en route to his best round this season.

“It feels great, but it is a 54-hole tournament and all the teams are very close,” Bouniol said. “Every shot will matter, and that’s how my mindset is.”

ACU, at one over par as a team, trails Wayne State by only two strokes. Even better news for the Wildcats is that they are four strokes ahead of fifth place, the final qualifying spot for nationals. Lone Star Conference champion Central Oklahoma had a rough first day finishing 10th and nine strokes out of the lead.

The second round was supposed to be played Tuesday, but because of inclement weather the golfers will have to play both the second and third rounds Wednesday. It will be a 7:30 a.m. shotgun start. That means that all of the golfers will start on different holes all at the same times.

“We’ll be fine. It will be just like most of the tournaments we’ve played this year.”

Last year, Bouniol finished in second at regionals on a course in Duncan, Okla. which Head Coach Mike Campbell described as having the hardest pin placements he has seen. This year the course is tough in another way.

“It’s a completely different style of course,” Bouniol said. “It is has narrow fairways and heavy, thick roughs. It is a demanding course in terms of ball-striking.”