HUTCHINSON, Kan. – The Commodore men’s golf team ended their first NCAA Championship since 2007 in a tie for 16th position with a final three-round score of 854 (281-285-288) with junior Hunter Stewart leading the way with a one-over par, 211 (71-70-70, T-35) for the championship.
Vanderbilt eventually missed the eight-team match play cut by nine strokes but were in the thick of things with nine holes to play, with the Commodores only a stroke back of the cut line. But, on the back nine, Vanderbilt counted a combined four-over par and finished the day at eight-over, 288.
“I am so proud of this team,” said Vanderbilt head coach Scott Limbaugh. “We had our chance on the back nine and that is what you want. Unfortunately, we let a few shots get away from us on the back nine. Our team gained valuable experience this week which is only going to help us going forward into next season.”
Stewart and sophomore Carson Jacobs had the two best Vanderbilt rounds of the day, with each finishing at even-par 70. The Commodores also counted a pair of 74’s from junior Jordan Janico and senior Charlie Ewing, with junior Ben Fogler carding a six-over, 76.
“Carson did a great job this week and so did Hunter,” said Limbaugh. “It was a solid team effort the entire week. These guys showed the competitive character that we want to have as a program. We took a large step in the right direction this week and this year. it’s certainly not the end we wanted, but it will make us stronger in the future. When things are hard, it makes you better.”
Stanford ran away with the 54-hole stroke play portion of the tournament with a 13-under par, 827, and earned the number one seed for match play. Other teams making the final eight include Alabama, LSU, Oklahoma State, Georgia Tech, UCLA, SMU, and Illinois.
Ollie Schniederjans of Georgia Tech and Cameron Wilson of Stanford tied for the individual lead, with each shooting a six-under par, 204. Wilson won the individual championship on the third playoff hole.
T-16. Vanderbilt – 281-285-288=854
T35. Hunter Stewart – 71-70-70=211
T42. Carson Jacobs – 71-71-70=212
T76. Ben Fogler – 68-72-76=216
T105. Jordan Janico – 71-74-74=219
T109. Charlie Ewing – 74-72-74=220
