Hopfinger leads KU golf in Arizona

? Kansas University freshman Brad Hopfinger recorded his fifth under-par round of the year, firing an opening-round 71 at the Ron Moore Invitational on Friday in Goodyear, Ariz. KU shot a first-round 291 and is in 14th place in the 16-team field.

“We didn’t shoot a bad round scoring-wise, but we should have shot a lower round on a rather easy course in perfect conditions,” KU coach Kit Grove said. “We just got off to slow starts and didn’t make enough birdies coming in.”

Hopfinger is tied for 23rd place.

Freshman Nate Barbee carded a 72 and is tied for 32nd place. Juniors Walt Koelbel and Zach Pederson both shot rounds of 74 and are tied for 50th place. Junior Brandon Hermreck shot a 75 and is tied for 61st.