FRANKLIN, Tenn. — Gordon Sargent became Vanderbilt’s all-time leader for career wins Wednesday and the Commodores cruised to a second straight Mason Rudolph Championship at the Vanderbilt Legends Club.
Sargent (-17) carded a 66 on Wednesday, his third consecutive round in the 60s, to win his fifth career individual title—no Vanderbilt golfer had ever won more than four individual titles. The sophomore also won the Mossy Oak Collegiate and NCAA individual championship as a freshman and the East Lake Cup and John Hayt Invitational earlier this season.
The Birmingham, Alabama, native beat Tennessee’s Bryce Lewis (-9) by eight strokes. Sargent’s three-round total of 196 tied teammate Cole Sherwood’s 2022 score (which also won the event) and was one stroke off the tournament record set by Ty Harris of Georgia State in 2004.
“Obviously, Gordon showed a ton of competitive character in how he played and responded to last week not going the way he had wanted,” Vandy head coach Scott Limbaugh said. “He was very focused and did an outstanding job committing to his shots and playing the next shot.”
Vanderbilt as a team claimed its sixth championship of the season. The Dores were 5-under-par Wednesday as they ran away with the championship.
Vandy also won the Frederica Cup, East Lake Cup, John Hayt Invitational, Watersound Invitational and Cabo Collegiate this season.
“Just so very proud of our guys,” Limbaugh said. ” They took a lot of pride in finishing the regular season the right way and then went and did it. I think that says a lot about the leadership and the care level of our team.”
Vanderbilt also got exceptional rounds Wednesday from Matthew Riedel and William Moll. Riedel played a bogey-free front nine and carded a 68 to wind up tied for fifth at 7-under-par for the tournament while Moll (-8) tied for third overall after a third-round 69.
Sherwood (+2) finished tied for 26th and Wells Williams (+7) tied for 54th. Competing as an individual, Reid Davenport (-7) recorded a top-five finish thanks to a 67 on Wednesday.
Jackson Van Paris (-3) tied for 11th and Jansen Preston (+9) tied for 60th.
“William had another good week and seems to be getting better each time out,” Limbaugh said. “Matthew was rock solid all week long and I love how steady he is and just always keeps plugging along. It was great to see Reid finish so well in his final Mason Rudolph.”
The Commodores now turn their focus toward the postseason. They’ll be shooting for a third straight Southeastern Conference Championship starting April 19 on Saint Simons Island in Georgia.
“It was a really good regular season and I’m excited the guys took pride in us regaining momentum this week. There are a few things we have got to do better to be where we want to be next week at the SEC Championships,” Limbaugh said. “We have to get everyone bought in to doing the right things all the time and not having lapses in our focus.
“I’m certainly excited for the opportunity we have and I know our guys will be. Thanks again to everyone that made the week so special.”
