Kansas sophomore golfer Will King, back in action following his first-year run to the NCAA national championships, won a collegiate event for the first time Monday by shooting an 8-under 205 at the Gopher Invitational in Minnesota.
King, an Olathe native, shot a 5-under 66 in the second round of play Sunday for the best round of his career, as well as the best single round by any golfer at the competition. That helped him grab a lead after the first day. He followed that with an even 71 Monday, bouncing back from a double bogey on the 14th hole to birdie the 16th, and managed to beat out UNC Wilmington’s Walker Isley by one stroke for the top spot.
“My game didn’t feel great heading into the week,” King said in a press release. “I just did a good job of managing my misses and rolled in a few putts.”
The result was the second straight individual win for a KU competitor after Cecil Belisle — who had also never previously won an event for the Jayhawks — emerged victorious at the Folds of Honor Collegiate in Michigan last week. The result was the first set of consecutive medalists for KU since prominent alum Gary Woodland won a pair of tournaments 17 seasons ago.
“Will hung in there today for the win,” head coach Jamie Bermel said. “He played like a veteran today after sleeping on the lead last night. He had a bad break on 14 but didn’t flinch and played one-under the last four holes. I’m really proud of him, and how he handled himself in the heat of the battle.”
The Jayhawks finished third overall as a team behind UNCW and Kent State. William Duquette had the next best finish after King with a 2-over 215.
KU competes next at the Fighting Irish Classic in Indiana beginning Oct. 1.
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