By Lohan Sutton
One of Tennessee’s top-rated golf courses and a Pete Dye design, The Honors Course, hosted a talent-loaded field for this week’s tournament.
The University of Tennessee men’s golf team traveled down to Ooltewah, Tennessee, for The Invitational at The Honors Course. Leading the charge for the Volunteers was sophomore Jackson Herrington, with an impressive opening round of 65.
After a strong start to the tournament, the Volunteers were in the driver’s seat at six-under par. The Vols stumbled in the second round to fall into the middle of the pack after recording a team total of 9-over par.
“The boys battled through,” Tennessee assistant head coach Derek Ernst said in a social media interview after the game.
The Vols’ struggles continued in the final stretch with a team total of 15-over par in the final round.
Ultimately, the Vols would finish tied for seventh in the tournament at 18-over par. The Ole Miss Rebels claimed the top spot in the tournament, finishing 10-under as a team.
Team Results:
1. Ole Miss, -10
T2. Virginia, -5
T2. Auburn, -5
4. Vanderbilt, -1
5. Oklahoma, E
6. Pepperdine, +4
T7. Clemson, +18
T7. Tennessee, +18
9. Duke, +21
10. Chattanooga, +36
11. Marquette, +37
12. Charleston, +41
In the opening round, Herrington carded eight birdies and one bogey to claim the lead at 7-under. Herrington followed it up with a 73, 1-over, in round two to be tied with former high school teammate and now Ole Miss Rebel Cameron Tankersley. Herrington carded a final round score of 82, 10-over, to finish tied for 26th in the tournament.
Lance Simpson and Josh Hill had a hot start for the Vols, both opening with a round of 71. Simpson would go on to be 4-over in round two and finish with a 3-over final round. Hill posted a 1-over in round two and finished with a three-over in his final round.
Bruce Murphy had a solid close to the tournament, finishing with a 1-under par round on Tuesday. Murphy finished the tournament at 5-over par and tied for 28th.
The freshman on Rocky Top, Chase Kyes, traveled as an individual this week. Kyes had a great opening round of 70 but struggled in rounds two and three to finish 7-over par for the tournament.
Tennessee Finishers:
T23. Josh Hill, +3
T26. Jackson Herrington, +4
T28. Bruce Murphy, +5
T34. Lance Simpson, +6
T36. Chase Kyes, +7
67. Reed Lotter, +24
The Vols have the rest of September to regroup and rest before heading to South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame is hosting the Fighting Irish Classic at the Warren Golf Course on Oct. 6-7.