SEA ISLAND, Ga. – The fifth-ranked Vanderbilt men’s golf team posted their best finish in their 50-year history at the SEC Championship on Sunday in Sea Island, Ga., with a three-round total of 10-under par, 830 (276-274-280), which tied the Commodores with South Carolina for second place. LSU won their 16th SEC Championship and first since 1987 with a final total of 13-under, 827 (274-272-281).
Vanderbilt’s previous-best finishes at the SEC Championship came in 2002 and 2004, when the Commodores finished in fourth place on both occasions.
“I am proud of our team,” said Vanderbilt head coach Scott Limbaugh. “They gave themselves an opportunity to win with three holes left and unfortunately we didn’t get the job done today. It certainly hurts right now, but I hurt for the guys. I know how bad they wanted to win because I know how much this team matters to them. The SEC is a tough league and one of the most competitive in the country. They fought hard and showed the type of competitive character that it takes win championships. We have a lot of golf left this year and we have a great opportunity to grow from this and continue to take the right steps toward being the team we know we are.”
Four Commodore players finished in the top 25 at this weekend’s festivities for the first time at the par-70, 7,005-yard Sea Island Golf Club’s Seaside Course – senior Hunter Stewart (T-4), junior Zack Jaworski (T-9), freshman Theo Humphrey (T-11), and Matthias Schwab (T-23) each finished inside of the top 25.
Stewart’s fourth-place finish was his fifth top-five of the season and his best ever at the SEC Championship and Jaworski posted a career-best finish and his first ever top 10.
“When you have a chance with five holes to go, it’s kind of frustrating to not come out on top,” said senior Hunter Stewart. “The positive thing for us is that the season is not over and we have a couple of more tournaments left. We had a couple of guys play really well today. Jaws really did some good things for us. But, we’re excited. We have a really good team and we just need to keep working to get a little better, learn from the things that we weren’t able to do at the end of the round today, and get better next time.”
Vanderbilt counted Stewart and Jaworski’s 68, a 71 from Schwab, and a 73 from Humphrey and Carson Jacobs. Jaworski’s 68 tied a career-low round.
“On days like today, you understand going in that your veteran players need to play well,” said Limbaugh. “Hunter did that today as he always does. Zack was special and he’s done an outstanding job taking advantage of the opportunity he’s earned. It was a great team effort this week.”
Individually, Matthew NeSmith of South Carolina ran away with medalist honors with a 14-under, 196 (65-64-67), six strokes better than second-place Ben Schlottman of Auburn.
“We will take a few days off and allow the guys to focus on their exams. Once finals are complete, we will start our preparation for the NCAA postseason,” said Limbaugh.
T2. Vanderbilt – 276-274-280=830
T4. Hunter Stewart – 70-67-68=205
T9. Zack Jaworski – 69-70-68=207
T11. Theo Humphrey – 68-67-73=208
T23. Matthias Schwab – 70-70-71=211
T36. Carson Jacobs – 69-72-73=214
