SILVIS, Ill. – Lewis-Clark State College freshman golfer Kristof Panke overcame a rough start to post a 1-over-par 72 during the opening round of the 2022 NAIA Men's Golf National Championship on Tuesday.
Playing on the TPC Deere Run course, Panke had double bogeys on two of the first three holes to stand at 4-over-par with 15 holes remaining. The Davenport, Wash., product bounced back with consecutive birdies on his fifth and sixth holes and then another on his eighth hole to shoot a 1-over-par 37 on his front nine.
Panke's back nine was a model of consistency as he parred seven of the nine holes and dropped to even for a bit with a birdie, but then later had a bogey to finish at 72. That left him tied for 49th overall in the standing after the opening round.
"After a rough start it was great to see Kristof battle the nerves and settle in," LC State coach
Brady Campbell said. "Salvaging a round after being 4 over early is what you have to do in an event like this. There is still a long way to go, but it's a good start."
Panke's round consisted of 11 pars, four birdies, two double bogeys and one bogey. Three golfers shot 7-under-par 64s to share the overall lead.
A total of 29 teams and 11 individuals, including Panke, are participating in the tourney.
Because Panke was in the second-to-last group to tee off on Tuesday, he will be in one of the early groups on Wednesday, teeing off a 6:50 a.m., PDT.
After Wednesday's round, the field is cut down to the top 17 teams and 40 individuals, including ties, for the final two rounds on Thursday and Friday.
The TPC Deere Run course is home to the John Deere Classic on the PGA Tour, which this year will be held June 29-July 3. The par-71 course is 7,066 yards long and features water, several bunkers, and tree-lined fairways.
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