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Arouca takes Illinois Open lead

Philip Arouca has the lead after the first round of the 62nd Illinois Open Championship at Hawthorn Woods Country Club. Arouca carded a 6-under-par 65 and holds a 1-stroke advantage over Jonathon Krick from Peoria Heights.

“I hit the ball well,” Arouca said. “I putted well, and I really struck my irons well. I controlled distances great all day, and my putting really bailed me out when I needed it. I’m not complaining with 27 putts today, so I’m pretty happy with that.”

Arouca, 26, from Wilmette, is playing in his fourth Illinois Open and has only made the cut once in his previous three attempts, in 2007 at the rain-shortened tourney held at the Glen Club in Glenview.

He finished Monday’s opening round with 6 birdies and no bogeys.

“I’m off to great start, and I have a ton of confidence on this golf course,” Arouca said. “The past couple tournaments I’ve played in, I’ve gotten off to a good starts, but just haven’t been able to back it up.

“I’m really looking forward to (the second round) to backing it because I love the pressure.”

Krick, 24, had 7 birdies and 2 bogeys in the opening round. The former member of the University of Illinois golf team has a renewed passion for the game after not playing his senior year at Illinois and didn’t touch a golf club for more than a full year.

“I think I took it almost too seriously when I was in college,” Krick said. “I just got burned out from the game, to be honest. I took some time off and don’t regret it because now I appreciate the game now. It’s fun, that is the good part, and I like it a lot more.”

Because of a heavy rainfall before the first round, Hawthorn Woods Country Club was primed for scoring as ideal conditions contributed to 31 players finishing their opening rounds under par compared to only four players last year.

Four-time champion Mike Small, 45, from Champaign, carded a 1-over 72, leaving him tied for 39th place heading into Tuesday’s second round. The men’s head golf coach at the University of Illinois is vying to tie Gary Pinns’ Illinois Open record for most victories (5).

Defending champion Eric Meierdierks from Wilmette is tied for 89th place after finishing the first round with a 5-over 76. His up-and-down day consisted of 3 birdies, 3 bogeys, a double-bogey and a triple bogey on the par-4 fifth hole.

Doug Ghim, an amateur from Arlington Heights, became the youngest player ever to play in the Illinois Open at 15 years, 3 months and 9 days. Ghim carded a 1-over 72, leaving him tied for 39th.

Also competing as a 15-year old is amateur Nick Hardy from Northbrook. Hardy, born 2½ months before Ghim, finished with an opening-round 74 and is tied for 59th.

The field is comprised of 156 participants, including 58 amateurs and six past champions.

The second round will be held Tuesday beginning at 7:30 a.m. off the first and 10th tees. Following 36 holes of play, the field will be cut to the low 50 scorers plus ties for Wednesday’s final round.