WINDERMERE, Fla. – The ninth-ranked Vanderbilt men’s golf team carded the Tavistock Collegiate’s low round of the day on Tuesday and ended the event in fourth place after finishing with a final three-round total of 861 (291-287-283). Senior Theo Humphrey paced the Commodores for the week, finishing with a final score of two-under par, 214 (71-71-72), which tied him for 11th on the individual leader board.
Vanderbilt surged to their final-round five-under par, 283, with a barrage of birdies, especially on the Isleworth Country Club’s final three holes. In what has become routine for the Commodores, Vanderbilt counted a four-under par total on holes 16, 17, and 18 to close out their round strong. For the day, Vanderbilt had 17 birdies and registered an eagle on the par-five, 573-yard seventh by junior Patrick Martin.
Junior Will Gordon was the leader for the day on Tuesday, finishing with a five-under par, 67, on a card that featured six birdies and only one bogey, with four of the birdies coming on his last six holes. Other counters on Tuesday were Martin’s one-under, 71, Humphrey’s even-par 72, and a one-over 73 from freshman Luke Zieman.
“I thought we really battled today as a team,” said Vanderbilt head coach Scott Limbaugh. “The round started pretty slowly for us and we did some sloppy things early, but the guys hung in there well and played solid. Finishing strong is what we want to be part of our identity and having the low round today is a good step for us. Gordo definitely put the team on his back today and played an awesome round that was big for us. Other guys played solid as well and did their parts. Theo and Patrick were both really consistent this week on a tough course which shows a lot of maturity.”
California overtook Illinois, who led for most of the tournament, with a final round 284 to win the team portion of the tournament by one shot over the Illini and Florida, who each finished one shot back in second and two shots in front of the Commodores.
Individually, Illinois’ Dylan Meyer won medalist honors with an 11-under par, 205 (67-66-72), two shots better than Collin Morikawa of California.
“We know that we have to get a lot better,” said Limbaugh. “It’s a fine line at the level we are trying to compete and every shot matters. That’s the great thing about golf and especially team golf. I think we have to continue to achieve a group mentality so we can have a group identity. When you start focusing on the finish line and results then you simply cannot play your best golf. It’s my job to help our guys understand what each person has to do to help this group be the best it can be.”
Vanderbilt will have the rest of the week to prepare for their final tournament of the fall, the East Lake Cup, which takes place next Monday through Wednesday at the legendary East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta, Ga. All three rounds will be featured on the Golf Channel.
“We are excited to head to Atlanta for the East Lake Cup and really hope we have some fans that can come support the boys,” said Limbaugh. “It is such a great event and we are thrilled to have the opportunity.”
4. Vanderbilt – 291-287-283=861
T11. Theo Humphrey – 71-71-72=214
T19. Patrick Martin – 73-72-71=216
T21. Will Gordon – 76-74-67=217
T31. John Augenstein – 74-70-76=220
T51. Luke Zieman – 73-78-73=224
