OLYMPIA — Illinois sophomore-to-be Nick Hardy wasn’t intimidated by playing against 311 other individuals in the U.S. Amateur’s first round Monday, as he finished the opening round tied for ninth at 2 under.
Hardy’s 68 at Olympia Fields Country Club put him 3 strokes behind early leader Matt NeSmith, a senior-to-be at the University of South Carolina.
Three other Illini are at the event. Alex Burge was tied for 30th at even-par, Thomas Detry earned a share of 78th at 2 over and Charlie Danielson slid into a tie for 184th at 5 over.
After Tuesday’s second round of stroke play, the field will be whittled down to 64.