The No. 13 Northwestern men’s golf team is 12 strokes off the pace after the first of three rounds at the NCAA Puerto Rico Classic.

NU is battling in an elite field. Nine of the top 20 teams in the nation, including No. 1 Clemson, are at the tournament, held in Rio Mar, Puerto Rico.

The Wildcats are led by senior Bjorn Widerstadt, who shot a 1-over par 73. The native of Vasteras, Sweden, is tied for 10th individually.

Seniors Scott Harrington and Casey Strunk are both two shots behind Widerstadt with 75s. Junior Tom Johnson shot a 77 and freshman Bryson Young is at 6-over after a 78.

NU entered the tournament with high hopes coming off an 18-stroke victory at its first tournament of the year, the Rice Intercollegiate, held Feb. 10-11 in Cypress, Texas.

Although the Cats have the advantage of coming off a win, they have the disadvantage of playing without coach Pat Goss, who stayed in Evanston for the weekend to be with his wife. She gave birth to a daughter Wednesday. Assistant coach Erik Ciotti took the team down to Puerto Rico.

The tournament will end Tuesday.