FORT WORTH, Texas – It was déjà vu all over again in the Lone Star State for the Vanderbilt men’s golf team, as the Commodores used another late rally to pick up a one-stroke win over North Carolina and claim the Ben Hogan Collegiate Invitational team title.
Vanderbilt opened the tournament’s final day in third place, just eight strokes off the lead. Similar to their win at last month’s Valero Texas Collegiate, the Commodores caught fire on the back nine to post a come-from-behind victory and claim their second tournament title of the season.
“What a finish by our guys today,” said Vanderbilt men’s golf head coach Scott Limbaugh. “Last night we talked about how important it is to finish to our standards because we didn’t do that yesterday. It’s so great to see the guys respond that way because it’s something we take a lot of pride in.”
Vandy approached Hole 18 one stroke behind leader North Carolina, who had finished play earlier in the day. Graduate student Matthew Riedel collected a birdie on 18 to pull the Dores even with the Tar Heels. Senior Cole Sherwood sank a 10-foot putt on his final hole to give Vanderbilt a one-stroke lead over UNC. Junior Gordon Sargent sealed the victory for Vandy by carding par on the team’s final hole of the tournament. The Commodores ended the Ben Hogan Collegiate Invitational with round scores of 271-279-274 to finish at 16-under 824.
Sherwood claimed the tournament’s individual title after winning a playoff hole against Georgia Tech’s Christo Lamprecht. The senior shot 3-under 67 in Round 3 to move up six spots on the player leaderboard to finish at 7-under 203 and force an extra hole. In the playoff, Sherwood sunk a 6-foot putt to win the individual title and earn an exemption into the 2024 Charles Schwab Challenge at Colonial Country Club, which is on the PGA Tour. It is Sherwood’s first collegiate win since picking up the title at the 2022 Mason Rudolph Championship.
“Obviously, guys have to step up to have moments like this and we had guys stepping up,” Limbaugh said. “I’m really excited for Cole to get the individual win because it hasn’t been easy for him lately. He kept working and doing the right things. He loves our team, and he wants so badly to help us be the best we can be. Those two putts he made, first in regulation and then in the playoff, were really clutch and something that should give him a lot of confidence.”
Sargent finished one stroke behind Sherwood, as the 2022 NCAA individual champion carded 6-under 204 to end the event in a tie for third. Sargent was key in the Commodore comeback, as he shot 2-under 68 in Round 3. Riedel also collected a top-15 finish at the Ben Hogan Collegiate, as the graduate student ended play at 2-under 208. Like Sargent, Riedel carded 2-under in Round 3 and picked up the birdie that put Vandy into a first-place tie with North Carolina.
“Gordon was steady and was locked in from the start which always gives our team extra confidence I believe,” expressed the head coach. “He hit a good putt on the last hole that just missed. Matthew was steady all day long and buried a huge birdie putt on #18 and he continues to play and lead with a ton of consistency. Overall, it was a great team win with all our guys stepping up. We are very thankful for all the support we had this week.”
Vanderbilt will take a brief break before jumping back into competition to conclude the fall season. The Commodores will hop across the pond to St Andrews, Scotland for the 2023 St Andrews Links Collegiate. The three-day tournament begins on Oct. 23 with the first two rounds taking place at the St Andrews Links Jubilee Course. The final round will be played on Oct. 25 at St Andrews’ legendary Old Course. Check back with VUCommodores.com for a full preview of the St Andrews Links Collegiate.
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