Northwest Missouri State University sophomore Paige Hoffman fired a career-best round of 68 to open up play Monday at the 2023 NCAA Central Region Tournament.

Hoffman recorded four birdies and an eagle in posting a first-round best score of four-under par on The Falls at Grand Falls Casino golf course in Larchwood, Iowa. She owns a two-stroke lead on the field with Nebraska-Kearney's Allison Comer in second place at two-under. Augustana's Masy Mock was the only other competitor to break par with Hoffman and Comer. Mock posted an opening-round 71.

Hoffman began the round with a bogey at one, but soon settled in and inched up the leaderboard. Hoffman gained a birdie on the par-5 second and another birdie on the par-4 third. Hoffman scored an eagle-2 on the par-4 fourth hole to move to three-under through four holes.

She gave a stroke back at No. 7 with a bogey on the par five 490-yard hole. 

Hoffman sparkled on the backside with a two-under total of 34 and nary a bogey in sight. Hoffman registered birdies at the par-4 10th and the par-4 14th holes to get to four under par. She tallied pars on her final four holes to take the lead going into the clubhouse in round one.

The tournament continues Tuesday and Wednesday with a 54-hole format. The top two individuals on non-advancing teams will qualify for the 2023 NCAA Championship meet.