BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — Nathan Hincks, PGA, put on a first-round show at Indian Hills Country Club, firing a 8-under 63 to set the lowest competitive course record at Indian Hills, and take the first-round lead at the 107th Kentucky Open presented by South Central Bank.

Hincks posted a front nine score of 29 after opening with birdies on 1, 5, 6, 7 and 9, then kept the pressure on with birdies at 11, 13 and 15 before a bogey on 14 briefly slowed his charge. He closed the round with a birdie on 15 and parred the final three holes, to seal the record-setting round.

The 63 leaves Hincks leading the rest of the field by three after round one, with Billy Basham the closest challenger in the clubhouse at 66. Close behind is a group of three players tied for third at 67.

Basham, alone in second at 5-under-par, played the front nine with birdies on 2, 6 and 9 offset by bogeys on 5 and 8 to finish with a 34. He added birdies on the back nine on 11, 13, 16 and 18 to finish with a 32 without a blemish.

A trio of players sit at 67. Erik Edwards carded a bogey-free stretch of four birdies on the front (2, 4, 6, 9) against two early bogeys (1, 3) for a 33, then added birdies at 11, 13 and 17 with a bogey at 16 for a 34 on the back.

Ashton Van Horne, the 2016 and 2024 champion, played a steady front nine before catching fire on the back, reeling off four straight birdies from 11 through 15 for a 32 to match Edwards at 67.

Amateur Sam Guest also posted 67, highlighted by four consecutive front-nine birdies from 4 through 7 for a 32 on the front, before a pair of closing bogeys at 17 and 18 pushed his back nine to 35.

CM Mixon rounded out the group at 67, opening with a bogey on 2 before birdies at 5 and 9 gave him a front-nine 34. He closed strong, reeling off birdies at 16, 17 and 18 for a back-nine 33. 

A group of four sits just behind at 68: Trey Wall (a), Jay Nimmo (p), Seth Barker (a), Dustin Hicks (p), and Christian Tooley (a), who highlighted his round with an eagle on 16.

Round two of the 107th Kentucky Open presented by South Central Bank continues Wednesday at Indian Hills Country Club.

First Round Leaderboard

1 — Nathan Hincks, PGA 63

2 — Billy Basham (p) 66

T3 — Erik Edwards (p) 67

T3 — Ashton Van Horne (p) 67

T3 — Sam Guest (a) 67

T3 — CM Mixon (p) 68

T4 — Trey Wall (a) 68

T4 — Jay Nimmo (p) 68

T4 — Seth Barker (a) 68

T4 — Dustin Hicks (p) 68

Full leaderboard – CLICK HERE

Round 1 photos – CLICK HERE

Media Kit – CLICK HERE

Championship Details

The 107th Kentucky Open, presented by South Central Bank, runs July 28-30 at Indian Hills Country Club in Bowling Green. Tee times and the full field are available by clicking here. Follow live coverage throughout the week on Kentucky PGA’s website and social media channels.

About the KPGA

The Kentucky PGA (KPGA) is one of the 41 sections that comprise The PGA of America. Formed in 1925, the Kentucky PGA has a professional membership of more than 350 men and women professionals across the Commonwealth of Kentucky, each of whom is dedicated to promoting the game in Kentucky. The Kentucky PGA is dedicated to the promotion of the game of golf and providing ongoing education and professional development of Kentucky PGA Professionals. Kentucky PGA Professionals are responsible for conducting a variety of golf-related functions, which include general management, golf instruction, tournament operations, golf shop merchandising, junior golf programs, golf club repair, and much more. The KPGA is a founding member of Golf House Kentucky, the umbrella organization that manages Kentucky’s Family of Golf Organizations.

About the Jack Ryan Trophy

This year’s champion will once again hoist the Jack Ryan Trophy, dedicated in 2005 by the Kentucky Section PGA in honor of one of the state’s most decorated players. Ryan won a record 10 Kentucky Opens between 1936 and 1959, added six Kentucky PGA titles, and was named Kentucky PGA Professional of the Year in 1958. He served as head professional at Louisville Country Club and later Big Spring Country Club, competed in three Masters Championships, and was inducted into both the Kentucky Golf Hall of Fame and the Kentucky Athletic Hall of Fame.