WILMINGTON, N.C. – The No. 13/12-ranked Vanderbilt men’s golf team carded 6-over 294 on Sunday to end the first day of The Williams Cup tied for fourth place, as the Commodores had four golfers end Round 1 inside the top 30.
The Dores battled low temperatures and wind gusts exceeding 40 miles per hour at Eagle Point Golf Club to end Round 1 of The Williams Cup tied for fourth with UNLV in the 14-team field. Vanderbilt heads into Monday’s second round 12 strokes behind current leader Florida, while the Commodores sit two strokes behind second-place Notre Dame.
Sophomores Will Hartman and Michael Riebe each carded even-par 72 on Sunday, as the pair of Commodores ended the round tied for ninth.
Hartman was one of four Commodores to collect three or more birdies in Round 1. The Marvin, North Carolina, native has now finished at even par or lower in 21 of his last 28 rounds. Additionally, it is the sixth time this season Hartman has closed a round at par or better. Riebe, who is playing as an individual at The Williams Cup, finished 1-under on two holes in Round 1, as the sophomore posted his fifth round of par or lower this season.
“It was a really good test out there today,” said Scott Limbaugh, the Thomas F. Roush, M.D., and Family Vanderbilt Men’s Golf Head Coach. “I am encouraged with how we came out ready to go from the start this morning. We had all five guys in it, which is big on days like today."
Fellow sophomore Jon Ed Steed, along with freshmen Luke Colton and Tyler Mawhinney, each concluded Round 1 of The Williams Cup at 2-over 74. Colton had a team-high five birdies on Sunday, while Mawhinney and Steed each finished three holes under par. The trio of underclassmen heads into Monday tied for 26th on the player leaderboard.
“We were very good through eleven holes, but didn’t do all the little things as well as we needed to coming in," said Limbaugh. "I thought Luke and Tyler did a great job hanging in their rounds and finding a way to finish strong. Will played a good round today and continues to do a good job lifting our team up. I am proud of Michael as well, and it’s great to see him get off to a good start because that’s something he wanted to do. Overall, it was a good day, but we have to keep growing, staying committed and having fun.”
No. 10/9-ranked Florida sits in first place after 18 holes at The Williams Cup, as the Gators carded 6-under 282. Florida’s Luke Poulter paces the 81-golfer event on the player leaderboard, finishing Round 1 at 3-under 69.
The No. 13/12 Commodores tee off Round 2 at The Williams Cup Monday at 8:05 a.m. CT from Hole 1. Vanderbilt will be paired with UNLV and Augusta. Riebe will begin his day at 7:25 a.m. CT on Hole 10. Fans can click the link here for live scoring.
“Tomorrow is moving day, and we need guys continuing to step up,” Limbaugh expressed. “There are two opportunities left in our fall season, and our focus is on finishing strong, having a good attitude and being able to focus on the right things to be successful.”
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