October 26, 2023

🏌️‍♂️ King Posts Opening Round 65, Jayhawks Tied for Tenth After Day One of Ka’anapali Classic

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LAHAINA, Maui – Sophomore Will King fired a six-under round of 65 and is in fifth place as the Jayhawks are in 10^thafter the opening round of the Ka’anapali Classic at Ka’anapali Golf Course in Maui.

The Jayhawks posted an opening round of 280 (-4) and sit tied for 10^th. Liberty leads the pack at -22, while Georgia (-18), San Jose State (-15), East Tennessee State (-12) and Oklahoma (-12) round out the top five.

“We played in perfect weather today and got off to a slow start,” said head coach Jamie Bermel. “We battled back on the back nine and posted a decent score for the day.”

King carded six birdies for his bogey-free round, which included a stretch of three-straight birdies on holes five, six and seven. King’s 65 is the lowest of his Jayhawk career and is his fourth under-par round of the fall season. King is tied for fifth and just two shots back of the lead.

“Will King had a very solid day today,” added Bermel.

Senior Davis Cooper scrapped together an even-par round for Kansas, highlighted by four birdies and an eagle on the par-five sixth hole. Cooper sits tied for 56^th with 36 holes to play.

Seniors Gunnar Broin and Cecil Belisle each posted a one-over round of 72 on Thursday. Broin carded three birdies on the day, while Belisle notched two and an eagle of his own on the par-five ninth hole. Broin and Belisle share a tie for 68^th.

Freshman Max Jelinek posted a three-over round of 74 for his first round in Bermel’s lineup. Jelinek carded two birdies on the day and sits tied for 91^st.

Freshman Noah Holtzman made his Jayhawk debut on Thursday, shooting a six-over 77 which puts him tied for 112^th.

“There is a lot of golf left and we need to make some birdies these next two days,” said Bermel.

The Jayhawks will tee off for the second round at 1:30 p.m. CT in a shotgun start. Live scoring for the second round will be available on Golfstat. Fans can also follow along with live updates from the official Kansas Men’s Golf Twitter account.