By Lohan Sutton
FARRAGUT, Tenn. – Tennessee did not look like a champion after a slow start on Day 1.
The Volunteers shared the early lead after a 3-under-par first round on Monday at Fox Den Country Club. However, the teams had to battle out a second 18 holes in the afternoon, and this is where the script flipped.
During the afternoon round, the Vols stumbled with a 2-over-par team score. This dropped them to just 1-under-par for the tournament.
Chattanooga commanded the leaderboard at 8-under-par following the first two rounds.
On Tuesday, the math flipped in nine holes.
The Volunteer squad went 12-under as a team on the front nine, took the lead and never slowed down.
Tennessee would finish the final round 14-under-par, taking the victory with a total of 15-under-par. Second was Memphis at 11-under-par.
This marks Tennessee’s second straight title in this event and third in four years.
This charge was not one player, but it started with one.
Sautron’s 63 almost steals the individual title
Rudy Sautron arrived from Nebraska this summer and came off a victory at the Monroe Invitational. His first official start in orange still had to look like a debut.
Sautron opened 69-69 with eight birdies and an eagle, leading Tennessee through 36 holes at 2-under-par. Sautron was disappointed with his performance and claiming, ‘he did not play his best.’
On Tuesday, Sautron opened his final round going 5-under through the first six holes. This climb put him tied for the lead at the turn.
He signed a 7-under-par 63, the lowest round of the field. This push got Sautron to 9-under for the tournament.
Chattanooga’s Evan Rogers would claim the individual honors at 10-under-par.
Despite not leaving with the medalist trophy, Sautron left with a team title in his debut on Rocky Top.