L\u00c9VIS, Que. \u2013 The Queen\u2019s Gaels men\u2019s team and University of British Columbia (UBC) women\u2019s team started hot to sit on top of the leaderboard following the first round of the 2026 Canadian University \/ College Championship, presented by BDO at Golf La Temp\u00eate in L\u00e9vis, Que. on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
Queen\u2019s finished the round at a combined score of 5-under. Led by Luke Macpherson who shot a bogey free 6-under 66 with six birdies. Cameron Greatrex (Toronto, Ont.) finished at 3-under 68 carding seven birdies. Daniel Abraha (Kingston, Ont.) finished with an even par 72, and Ryan Crowley (Cobourg, Ont.) finished at 4-over with two birdies. Queen\u2019s hold a two-shot lead over UBC Okanagan Heat (3-under) and three shots over the Victoria Vikes (2-under).<\/p>\n
Macpherson of Whitby, Ont. is currently in first place for the men\u2019s individual championship \u201cThe course is really nice, fits my game really well. I can hit driver everywhere,\u201d said Macpherson. \u201cThe game was nice, the putter was rolling, I hit a lot of greens, I missed a short putt on number four for birdie and that kind of woke me up out there, then I bounced back with back-to-back birdies. I made a couple of big putts coming down the stretch, I wish I made the putt on number 18 to tie the course record but there is always tomorrow.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have a great team, the core four and the trifecta. Cameron had a great round as well, actually he made more birdies than me with seven. I know the other guys will have my back the rest of the week if I don\u2019t bring it, but I am planning to bring it. I think we will make a good run,\u201d added Macpherson.<\/p>\n
The UBC Thunderbirds women\u2019s team got off to a strong start in defence of their title, finishing with an opening round score of 1-over. Second year student Keira Hou of Richmond Hill, Ont. led her team shooting a 1-under 71, carding two birdies. Not far behind her is teammate Katherine Hao from Burnaby, B.C. who finished her round even par 72. Jessica Ng of Vancouver, B.C. finished her round at 2-over 74 recording three birdies to count towards the team score
\u201cI had a great time out there, the course was nice and the weather turned out to be better than what I expected,\u201d said Hou. \u201cMy approach shots definitely helped me shoot a good score today, it made my life easier. When I had longer putts my distance control was great which made for a good round.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a great experience, last year I didn\u2019t get to play in the event but my team won which was awesome,\u201d said Hou. \u201cI think it\u2019s been really great to be a part of it so far and getting to represent the University of British Columbia.\u201d<\/p>\n
UBC\u2019s women\u2019s team is ahead by nine strokes with UBC Okanagan Heat second at 10-over. Defending women\u2019s champion, Julia Alexander-Carew of Oakville, Ont. is fourth in the individual championship at 1-over, trailing Hou as well as Hao and Kristi Godkin of Orleans, Ont.(Wilfrid Laurier) at even.<\/p>\n
The top three daily scores count towards the women\u2019s team total throughout the week, while the top four daily scores accrued by the male teams count towards their overall total.<\/p>\n
After the third round, the field will be cut to the low nine men\u2019s teams and the low six women\u2019s teams, or any team within 15 shots of the lead. Individuals within five shots of third place will also make the cut, or any player within the top 10.\u202f<\/p>\n