GOODYEAR, Ariz. – The Chico State men's golf team put together an impressive opening day at the Palm Valley Classic, firing rounds of 276 (-12) and 275 (-13) on Monday at Palm Valley Golf Club to take over first place in the 20-team field. The Wildcats sit at 25-under par through 36 holes and hold a three-shot lead heading into Tuesday's final round.

Chico State opened the day with a one-shot lead after the first round behind Naoki Easterday's 66 (-6) and continued to build on it in the afternoon round behind Ty Weaver's 66 (-6). The Wildcats have been dominant on the scoring holes, leading the field in both par-3 and par-5 scoring. Chico State played the par 3s at 2-under par and paced the field on the par 5s at an impressive 22-under, continuing its season-long emphasis on par-5 scoring.

Senior Naoki Easterday led the charge with rounds of 66 (-6) and 70 (-2) to sit tied for second, three shots off the lead. His opening-round 66 matched his career low, previously set at the Palm Valley Classic last season. Easterday also leads the field in par-3 scoring at 3-under.

Senior Giuseppe Aliotti carded rounds of 70 (-2) and 68 (-4) to move into a tie for 15th. Aliotti played his final 11 holes of the opening round at 4-under and ranked second in the field in par-5 scoring at 7-under.

Freshman Ty Weaver bounced back in the second round, following a 73 (+1) with a career-low 66 (-6) to climb into a tie for 19th. Weaver is among the top 10 in the field in pars made with 26 on the day.

Freshman Vineet Vallamsetty continued his steady play with rounds of 70-71 to sit tied for 23rd, while junior Alex LemMon posted rounds of 70-74 to finish the day tied for 51st.

The Wildcats return to the course Tuesday for the final 18 holes, holding a three-shot lead over Colorado State-Pueblo as they look to close out the tournament and secure their second tournament win of the season.