Western Kentucky’s men’s golf team opened play at the Purdue Fall Invitational on Sunday with 36 holes on the Kampen Course of the Birck Boilermaker Golf Complex in West Lafayette, Indiana.

Senior Stephen Warren leads the Hilltoppers at even-par 144. He fired a second-round, 3-under par 69 to bounce back from a first-round 3-over 75. Redshirt senior Nic Hofman sits at 2-over and just outside the Top 20.

After a third-round, 5-under 67 at the Argent Financial Classic, Warren put together another strong, sub-70 round. He had five, second-round birdies and eight of WKU’s 22 on the day. He was among the best in the field on the Par 5s Sunday, playing those holes at 3-under for the day. Warren’s eight birdies were tied for the seventh-most in the field.

Hofman and freshman Reed Richey – making his Hilltopper debut – played the Par 5s at 1-under. Hofman made 24 pars and five birdies on Sunday.

“Stephen and Nic were really solid today,” WKU coach Austin King said in a news release. “The off-and-on rain made it tough, but they did a great job making the most of the day. Our three freshmen – Reed, Trevor (Drew) and Rafe (Blankenship) – had a really tough day, but they’ll be better in the long run because of it. We have some adjustments to make for tomorrow, so excited about the opportunity to finish on a high note and build some momentum.”

Monday’s final round begins with a shotgun start at 8:30 a.m. CT. The Hilltoppers will go off holes No. 15-18 and play with Purdue Fort Wayne and Butler.

TEAM LEADERBOARD

1. Indiana | 285-280—565 (-11)

2. Miami OH | 283-284—567 (-9)

3. Purdue | 296-285—581 (+5)

4. Illinois State | 290-292—582 (+6)

14. WKU | 303-301—604 (+28)

INDIVIDUAL LEADERBOARD

1. Sam Easterbrook, Purdue | 69-68—137 (-7)

2. Michael Weber, Miami OH | 72-66—138 (-6)

3. Alex McCulla, Illinois State | 68-73—141 (-3)

T4. Seven Tied at 142 (-2)

T14. Stephen Warren, WKU | 75-69—144 (E)

T22. Nic Hofman, WKU | 73-73—146 (+2)

T68. Reed Richey, WKU | 78-81—159 (+15)

73. Trevor Drew, WKU | 77-84—161 (+17)

74. Rafe Blankenship, WKU | 84-78—162 (+18)

T21. Hayden Warren* | 76-72—148 (+6)

* – playing in Purdue Fall Individual at Allen-Ackerman Golf Course