This theme is emerging among the individual leaders at the National Golf Invitational

MARICOPA, Ariz. — Nixon Lauritzen's first collegiate event was at Ak-Chin Southern Dunes. His debut round, he torched the course about 40 minutes south of Phoenix to the tune of nine birdies, eventually finishing solo third.

Fast forward to last month, Lauritzen, a sophomore at Grand Canyon, was again back at Southern Dunes. In a feat of deja vu, he once again had nine birdies in the opening round and eventually finished T-6. That's why it's no surprise to see Lauritzen once again torch the golf course, this time in a postseason championship.

Lauritzen tallied 10 birdies during a second-round 7-under 65 on Saturday in the 2026 Men's National Golf Invitational. He stepped on the tee of the par-5 16th hole at 9 under for his round and eyeing the NGI single-round scoring record of 62. Instead, he three-putted for par on 16, made par on 17 before a poor tee shot and soft bunker shot resulted in a double bogey on the closing 18th.

More: NGI SCORES Heading into the final round, Lauritzen is three shots behind Wyoming's Brody Leid, who paces the field at 14 under. And for the winner come Sunday: an exemption into the PGA Tour's Butterfield Bermuda Championship in October. "I really have no idea why I keep playing well here," said Lauritzen, who is one of six players to shoot both rounds in the 60s thus far.