SEA ISLAND, Ga. – The fifth-ranked Vanderbilt men’s golf team moved up two places on the team leader board Saturday after shooting a collective six-under par, 274, in the second round of the SEC Championship in Sea Island, Ga. The Commodores are tied with South Carolina with a two-round score of 550 (276-274) for third and trail overall leader Alabama by seven shots heading into the final round at the par-70, 7,005-yard Sea Island Golf Club’s Seaside Course.
Senior Hunter Stewart and freshman Theo Humphrey were Vanderbilt’s top scorers Saturday, with each carding a three-under par, 67. Humphrey is in a tie for fifth on the individual leader board, while Stewart is in a tie for 11th.
“I rolled in a few nice putts on the back and didn’t make any on the front,” said Stewart. “I hit the ball great all day and it was kind of nice to steal one there on the last making a 30 or 40 footer. The greens are tough to read out there but are soft and receptive, so there are a lot of birdies being made so you have to play pretty aggressively.”
The Commodores also counted a pair of par-70’s from junior Zack Jaworski and sophomore Matthias Schwab.
“I thought we were pretty solid all day long and it was another good day for us,” said Vanderbilt head coach Scott Limbaugh. “Hunter was bogey free and in control all day. Theo played another huge round for the team today and kept us in contention.”
The Crimson Tide maintained their lead after shooting a six-under, 274, on Saturday and lead second-place LSU by three strokes.
Individually, South Carolina’s Matthew NeSmith leads all players with an 11-under par, 129 (65-64). Alabama’s Robby Shelton is a shot back in second place.
“Tomorrow will be an awesome opportunity that we need to embrace as a group,” said Limbaugh. “We need to have all five guys in it tomorrow. We have to continue to focus on the right things and continue to believe in ourselves and believe in each other.”
The third and final round of the tournament continues Sunday from Sea Island.
T3. Vanderbilt – 276-274=550
T5. Theo Humphrey – 68-67=135
T11. Hunter Stewart – 70-67=137
T19. Zack Jaworski – 69-70=139
T23. Matthias Schwab – 70-70=140
T31. Carson Jacobs – 69-72=141
