FRANKLIN, Tenn. — For the seventh time in its history, and for the fifth time since 2015, Vanderbilt came away from the Mason Rudolph Championship as team champions.
Starting Sunday with a 12-stroke lead over Liberty at the Vanderbilt Legends Club, Vandy shot a tournament-record 806 to finish 46-under-par and beat Liberty by nine strokes.
“Super excited for our guys and proud of how they played all week,” Vanderbilt head coach Scott Limbaugh said. “That was as close to a complete tournament as we have played so far this season.”
Sophomore Cole Sherwood (-17) finished with a three-day total of 196 and became the first Commodore to win the event since John Augenstein in 2018. Augenstein was present Sunday for Sherwood’s win.
The 17-under-par through 54 holes was one stroke off the Mason Rudolph Championship record set by Ty Harris of Georgia State in 2004.
Sherwood held off teammate Reid Davenport who carded back-to-back 66s and finished 13-under-par for the tournament. Liberty teammates Jonathan Yaun (-12) and Isaac Simmons (-11) finished third and fourth, respectively.
Vandy freshman Gordon Sargent placed fifth with a 9-under-par after 54 holes.
Sherwood’s triumph was his second of the season. His 196 also matched his own program record set earlier this season at the Cabo Collegiate.
“Obviously, Cole played awesome this week and he’s continuing to do a lot of things at a really high level,” Limbaugh said. “I thought his birdie putt on No. 9 was a really big putt and it settled him down after a bogey on No. 8 and he got his flow back then finished really strong. Reid was really good today and was so in control physically and emotionally all tournament long. I’m proud of how Gordon showed up and played in a final round just like we all expected him to. Also, proud of the way Matthew (Riedel) competed this week.
“Liberty has a good team and they pushed us which ultimately makes us better. I thought our team was resilient today and I’m proud of how they responded and finished. Winning is never easy and it was our first time playing with the lead going into the final round so there is always a lot to learn about yourself in these moments.”
The Commodores found 23 birdies Sunday and never really allowed a game Liberty squad to get within striking distance. Vandy has now won three tournaments and finished second in another since Feb. 23.
Harrison Ott (-4) placed 15th and William Moll (+1) tied for 34th overall in helping the Dores to victory.
Vanderbilt had a trio of golfers competing as individuals in Riedel, Jackson Van Paris and Michael Shears. Riedel’s 69 vaulted him into the top 10 thanks to birdies on three of his final five holes.
Van Paris (E) came in tied for 28th while Shears (+1) tied for 32nd.
“We are learning more about our team each time we play and I like a lot of what we learned this week. I also know that there are a lot of things we can improve upon and do more consistently,” Limbaugh said. “We have to keep pushing forward mentally knowing we have the capability to accomplish our goals with the right effort and right focus on the right things.
“We know actions determine outcomes and it’s about working to continue to create the right habits so we can be our best when our best is required.”
Vanderbilt will have a few days off before returning to the road to compete in the two-day Mossy Oak Collegiate Championship in West Point, Mississippi, on April 11-12. That’s the final regular-season event for the Commodores ahead of the annual SEC Championships.
“It was a great weekend and so thankful to everyone that helped make it possible,” Limbaugh said. “I really appreciate everyone that showed up to support the event and support these guys.”
Vandy Wins Mason Rudolph Championship by Vanderbilt Athletics on on Exposure
