PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. – The No. 12-ranked Vanderbilt men’s golf team breezed through Round 2 of the 2025 Carmel Cup, as the Commodores carded 14-under 346 to expand their lead by 13 strokes at the end of play on Saturday.
Senior Wells Williams and freshman Michael Riebe each went 6-under 66 in Round 2, as the Vandy duo heads into the final round of the Carmel Cup in a tie for first place on the player leaderboard at 9-under 135. Vanderbilt’s excellent performance in Round 2 pushed its lead to 13 strokes over the field, as the Dores head into Sunday with a two-round score of 22-under 698.
“It was great seeing the guys step up today,” said Thomas F. Roush, M.D., and Family Vanderbilt Men’s Golf Head Coach Scott Limbaugh. “Wells, Michael and Ryan played really strong and lifted the team. It was also good to see Chase bounce back, and I was proud of how Jon Ed and Carlos battled through the finish line. That shows pride, and that’s how a team’s character is shaped.”
Williams went bogey-free during his second go-around at Spyglass Hill Golf Course, collecting six birdies along the way. The highlight of the All-American’s round came when he rolled off three-straight birdies on Holes 8-10.
Riebe continued his strong collegiate debut by finishing 6-under 66 in Round 2 of the Carmel Cup. The Encinitas, California, native tallied a team-best nine birdies on Saturday.
Sophomore Ryan Downes also ended his day inside the top five on the player leaderboard, as he went 4-under 68 in Round 2. He heads into Round 3 in fourth place with a two-round score of 7-under 137.
Junior Chase Nevins recorded his first under-par round of the 2025-26 campaign, as he carded 1-under 71 on Saturday. The junior moved a team-best eight spots on the player leaderboard in Round 2, as he heads into Sunday in a tie for 37th at 6-over 150. Freshman Jon Ed Steed heads into Sunday inside the top 25, as his 36-hole total of 1-over 145 has in tied for 23rd.
No. 12 Vanderbilt takes a 13-stroke lead over second-place Arkansas into Round 3 of the 2025 Carmel Cup. The Commodores go into the final day of the tournament with a team total of 22-under 698.
“We have a good opportunity tomorrow, and that’s exciting,” Limbaugh expressed. “I want our guys to play with purpose and have some pride in how we compete. It’s important to stay on the offensive and carry ourselves strong.”
The 2025 Carmel Cup concludes Sunday morning at Spyglass Hill Golf Course. The Commodores tee off between 9:55-10:49 a.m. CT. Fans can click the link here to follow along with live scoring via Scoreboard powered by CLIPPD.
For more information and exclusive content on the Vanderbilt men’s golf team, follow @VandyMGolf on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter/X.
