Dec. 28, 2011

--For more information on the Patriot All-America click here

Litchfield Park, Ariz. -- Brooks Koepka fired a four-under par 67 to take the first-round lead at the inaugural Patriot All-America Invitational on the Gold Course at The Wigwam in Litchfield Park, Ariz., on Wednesday, but Sun Devil Austin Quick is right behind him just two strokes back.

Koepka, who is currently in his senior season at Florida State, is representing Medal of Honor recipient Army Sergeant First Class Paul R. Smith. Quick is representing Robert C. Baez.

"It (playing in front of local family and friends) means a lot to me," notes Quick. "I love sports in Arizona and I wore my Chaparral shirt, my high school. I love playing tournaments in my hometown. It's nice because you get a lot of support from the people. My grandparents call me every morning because they see my name in the newspaper. It's really cool."

Weather and course conditions were near perfect on the par 71, 7,006 yard Gold Course but Koepka got of to a slow start. He was 1-over after three holes. Koepka would recover with birdies on three of his next four holes, as well as on Nos. 13 and 15.

Johannes Veerman is one shot back at 3-under 68. Like Koepka, Veerman started slow and made the turn at one-over. He heated up on the back nine posting three-straight birdies from Nos. 11-13 and another on No. 14. Five players - Quick, Seth Reeves, Carlos Rodriguez, Cory Whitsett, Bobby Wyatt and Andrew Yun - are tied for third at two-under 69.

Sun Devil senior Spencer Fletcher is at 3-over 74.

LEADERS AFTER ONE ROUND
1. Brooks Koepka, 35-32=67 (-4)
2. Johannes Veerman, 37-31=68 (-3)
T3. Austin Quick, 36-33=69 (-2)
T3. Seth Reeves, 35-34= 69 (-2)
T3. Carlos Rodriguez, 34-35= 69 (-2)
T3. Cory Whitsett, 35-34= 69 (-2)
T3. Bobby Wyatt, 34-35= 69 (-2)
T3. Andrew Yun, 34-35= 69 (-2)