El Paso, TX -- WNMU's James Temple (Malahide, IRL/Malahide Community School) fired a freshman record 65 in the opening round of The Cactus Thaw to take the individual lead on Sunday. Temple's extraordinary record carried the Mustangs into second place, behind Midland College. Odessa College was third in the 7-team event held at Lonestar Golf Club in El Paso.

Temple shot 6-under par on the front nine, and held on for an even par on the back to shoot 6-under par, a freshman record the Mustangs. As sharp as he was, his teammates struggle a bit in round one and no one matched par for the Mustangs. Pedro De La Vega (Toluca, MX/Colegio Argos) birdied three of his final four holes to get to 72 (+1), followed by Harry O'Callaghan (Leeds, ENG/Priesthorpe HS) and Gonzalo Pan De Soraluce (Madrid, ES/Greg Norman Academy) matched 74s. Sam Ruston (Birmingham, ENG/Chase Terrace Technology) shot 76. WNMU's team total was 285 (+1)

Midland College had three players break par to take the lead. The Chap's fired a 10-under par 274 after getting 67 from Callum Bruce and George Saunders. Max Charles shot 68.

Odessa College shot 286, just a shot behind WNMU. Other scores included Midland (B) 287; 5th-UT-Permian Basin, 288; NMMI, 297 and Fort Lewis 299.

The final round is slated for Tuesday.