LONG GROVE — Illinois sophomore-to-be Nick Hardy finished Monday’s first round of the Illinois Open Golf Championship at Royal Melbourne Country Club in a three-way tie for second place with a score of 5-under 66.
David Lawrence of Moline led the way with a 9-under 62.
Urbana Uni High junior-to-be Varun Chopra shot a first-round score of 2-under 69 to finish the day tied for eighth.
Illinois men’s golf coach Mike Small carded a 1-under 70 to finish the day in 12th. Incoming Illini freshman Trevor Gold shot 1-over 73, and junior Alex Burge shot 4-over 75.