Out in Front in Georgia

Commodores take the lead after the first round of the Linger Longer Invitational

EATONTON, Ga. — Vanderbilt played a solid 18 holes of golf Sunday and finds itself out in front after the first round of the Linger Longer Invitational.

The Commodores finished 9-under-par and saw three golfers wind up inside the top 12 on the individual leader board. Conference mates Georgia (-8) and Florida (-4) are second and third, respectively.

“I’m proud and excited about how we started today,” Vanderbilt head coach Scott Limbaugh said. “We talked about being ready from the start today and they embraced that. The guys stayed patient and allowed good golf to happen. We had all five guys in it all day long which is always big.

Cole Sherwood paced the Dores on Sunday with a 4-under-par 68. He’s just one stroke back of four players and sits alone in fifth.

Harrison Ott and Reid Davenport each fired a 70 and are tied for eighth overall while Jackson Van Paris carded a 71 and is tied for 12th. Van Paris found two eagles during his round.

Gordon Sargent settled for an even-par 18 and is tied for 20th.

“Cole played another great round as he continues to play with a ton of consistency,” Limbaugh said. “Harrison did a good job all day of trusting his game and then got some putts to fall on the back nine. Reid and Jackson both hung in there all day and finished their rounds really strong.”

William Moll, playing as an individual, is tied for 30th after a 1-over-par 74.

Vandy is scheduled to begin its second round at 9 a.m. CT and will be paired with Georgia and Florida.

“Today was a good start and we need to continue to show up with the same competitive character Monday,” Limbaugh said. “I see some areas I know we can continue to do better. We are learning about ourselves each time out and we need to embrace that growth and the maturity it takes to be mentally tough every day.

“I’m excited to see us embrace that challenge.”