NOTABLES
- The Hilltoppers' 286 for the round is the lowest 18-hole score for WKU in the six times that the Red and White have played in the Argent Financial Classic.
- WKU finished the round with the third most birdies of any team in the tournament with 21. The Hilltoppers tied for the fourth best averages on Par 4s (4.08) and Par 5s (4.50) in the tournament as well.
- Junior Gage Doyle leads WKU on the leaderboard after the first round with a 70 for the day, tied for 10th place. His 3.90 stroke average on Par 4s is tied for the sixth best of any player in the tournament. Doyle was even after the first seven holes of the day, but finished with four birdies on the last 11 holes to finish 2-under.
- Freshman Will Easterlin is in a tie for 22nd place following a 1-under score in the first round.
- Junior Rafe Blankenship shot an even 72 for the first round, tying for 35th place.
- Sophomore Trevor Drew posted a 1-over score for the round, tying for 49th place.
- Redshirt-freshman Ethan Smith was 2-over for the day, tying for 63rd place.
QUOTABLE
"Definitely a good start to the week," said head coach Austin King. "I was happy with how prepared everyone was going into today and we did a lot of good things all day. Everyone was in the game all day and hit a lot of good shots, so there was a lot to be encouraged by. I think we've got even more in us, so we're excited to keep getting after it the next two days!"
UP NEXT
The Argent Financial Classic continues for the second round on Monday, Sept. 8. The first Hilltopper tees off at 11:50 a.m. on Monday.
How to Follow the Hilltoppers: For complete information on WKU Men's Golf, visit WKUSports.com or follow the program via social media @WKUMensGolf on X or @WKUMensGolf on Instagram.
