FRANKLIN, Tenn. – Junior Theo Humphrey carded a first-round 66 at the 2017 Mason Rudolph Championship and leads all individuals after the first day of play on the Vanderbilt Legends Club’s South Course. Humphrey posted six birdies in his round on Friday, including five on the back nine, to lead the Commodores, who are one stroke back of team-leader Florida with a team total of seven-under par, 277.
Humphrey, from Greenwich, Conn., surged to the lead with birdies on 9, 11, 12, 14, 17 and 18, while only carding one bogey on the day. The 66 was the lowest by a Commodore at the Mason Rudolph Championship since Hunter Stewart’s second-round 65 in 2012.
Vanderbilt, who led the field in birdies on the day, also counted a 69 from freshman John Augenstein, a 70 from junior Will Gordon, and a 72 from senior Matthias Schwab. Junior Patrick Martin fired a three-over 74 on Friday.
“I am really proud of how we played today,” said Vanderbilt head coach Scott Limbaugh. “It was one of our best first rounds this spring and an important one. Theo played an exceptional round out there and that was huge for us. John played awesome today as well and loved the resiliency he showed in how he played the last hole. I thought that was big for him and our team. We need to be a little better tomorrow in doing some little things better. I know our guys will be really excited to get back out there in front of so many of our fans. It’s important for us to continue to stay in our moment and enjoy our process.”
The Gators shot into the team lead on the par 71, 7,100-yard South Course by counting five birdies on their last two holes. Sam Horsfield, Gordon Neal, and Alejandro Tosti each paced the Florida effort with a trio of two-under, 69s. The Gators have a one-shot lead on the Commodores and two-shot lead on third-place Alabama.
Humphrey leads Mateusz Gradecki of East Tennessee State by one shot heading into the second round on Saturday.
2. Vanderbilt – 277
1. Theo Humphrey – 66
T8. John Augenstein – 69
T17. Will Gordon – 70
T32. Matthias Schwab – 72
T47. Patrick Martin – 74
Vanderbilt Individuals
T55. Andrew Jacobe – 75
T61. Zach Herr – 76
T63. Michael Decker – 77
