LITCHFIELD PARK, Ariz. — Gabriel Smith holds the individual lead and Sacramento State is on top of the team standings following the first day of the Big Sky Men's Golf Championship on Monday at Wigwam Golf Resort. Smith shot a 4-under par 68 while the team finished at 2-over par.
 
The Hornets will take a one-shot lead over Idaho and a three-shot edge of Northern Colorado into the second of three rounds on Tuesday.
 
Smith blazed through the front nine as he was 4-under without a bogey. He opened his round with a birdie on No. 1 and added birdies on the par-5 fourth and par-4 fifth. Smith birdied the par-4 eighth and eventually stood at 6-under following birdies on Nos. 10 and 12. He added four straight pars before closing with bogeys on Nos. 17 and 18. Smith was the only golfer to shoot in the 60s during the day and holds a two-stroke lead over Idaho's Josh Mcartain.
 
Jai Bahl is tied for sixth place after shooting 73 on Monday. Bahl parred all nine holes on the front nine before starting the back side of the course with a bogey on No. 10. He responded with birdies on the par-3 11^th and par-4 12^th and later dropped to 2-under with a birdie on the par-3 16^th. A triple bogey on the par-4 17th moved him to 1-over before ending with a par.
 
Zach Matzke tied for 11^th place with a 74. Matzke was even on the front nine with three birdies, a bogey and a double bogey. He played the first seven holes on the back nine at 1-under with a birdie on the par-4 13^th and six pars. However, he was 3-over on the final two holes with a double bogey on No. 17 and a bogey on No. 18.
 
Zach Mate provided a 75 to the team total and is tied for 16^th. Mate had three birdies, two bogeys and a pair of double bogeys in the round.
 
Max Thomas is tied for 26^th following a 77 in the first round. Thomas had two birdies, four bogeys and a triple bogey.
 
The leading teams will tee off first on Tuesday. Sacramento State will be paired with Idaho and Northern Colorado beginning at 6:30 a.m. PT.
 
BIG SKY CHAMPIONSHIP
Litchfield Park, Ariz. | Wigwam GR
Par 72 | 7,066 Yards
 
Team Standings
1. Sacramento State 290
2. Idaho 291
3. Northern Colorado 293
4. Francis Marion 294
5. Weber State 299
6. Eastern Washington 303
 
Individual Top Five
1. Gabriel Smith, SAC, 68
2. Josh McCartain, UI, 70
3. Cooper Tate, UNC, 71
T4. Thomas Barnes Grimes, UNC, 72
T4. Samuel Johnson, UI, 72
 
Sacramento State Scores
1. Gabriel Smith 68
T6. Jai Bahl 73
T11. Zach Matzke 74
T16. Zach Mate 75
T26. Max Thomas 77