MACOMB, Ill. — Western Illinois sophomore golfer Andrew Godfrey was like a pitcher working on a no-hitter.

He was playing the round of his life at the Harry Mussatto Golf Course the afternoon of Aug. 22, but he wasn't about to jinx it by talking with his playing partners about it.

"We were just talking about other stuff," Godfrey said. "We were talking about music and stuff like that. I was trying not to think about the round."

What Godfrey started as an impromptu practice round with a few other Fighting Leatherneck golfers slowly snowballed into the best round anyone has ever played at Harry Mussatto. Godfrey shot an 11-under-par 61 to break a course record set by former Western Illinois standout Tim Streng in 2005 by two strokes.

"It was a strange feeling. I've never been there before," Godfrey said. "It was definitely the best I've ever played. It felt like an out of body experience."

Godfrey hit the links at Harry Mussatto Tuesday afternoon and teamed up with Western women's golfer Claire Gursh to play a friendly match against fellow Leathernecks Jake Weeber and Lindsay Wandrey. Godfrey eagled the first hole from 65 yards out and went on to birdie holes two and three.

"All of the sudden, I was 4-under after two holes," Godfrey said. "It kind of just went on from there."

Godfrey birdied seven more holes while making pars on the rest to put his name atop the course record book. He's in good company as the player whose record he surpassed won an individual conference championship and was named All-American during his playing career at Western.

"I didn't think I'd ever see anyone beat Tim's 63," said Western Illinois coach Mel Blasi.

Godfrey had similar sentiments.

"I was thinking, 'I can't believe I just beat Tim Streng's record,'" he said. "The guy was an All-American. It was just unbelievable."

Godfrey said he hopes to use the record-breaking round as a springboard into the 2009-10 season after suffering a setback last year. As a freshman in 2007-08, Godfrey played several quality rounds for the Leathernecks, but sickness forced him to miss enough matches last season that he decided to redshirt.

"I'm one of the most competitive people you will ever meet," Godfrey said. "To be sick and not able to compete was tough."

This summer, Godfrey said he committed himself to working hard to come back strong. After Tuesday, though, he said he was hoping he didn't outdo himself.

"It kind of gives me too high of hopes," Godfrey said. "Now I am going to go out every time feeling like I can do it again.

"But it was good feedback for me to know that all the work I put in this summer paid off."

Blasi said Godfrey has a good shot at figuring into the Leathernecks' mix again this season. Western opens fall play Sept. 14-15 in the Fairway Club Invitational hosted by Nebraska.

"I've been waiting for Andrew. Having him on the team really gives us some solid depth," Blasi said. "I definitely expect him to compete for a top-5 spot on our squad."