GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Vanderbilt could not keep pace with some red-hot golf from SEC brethren Florida, Georgia and Auburn on Saturday at the Gators Invitational where the Commodores finished seventh after a three-day total of 826, 14-under par.
After finishing its second round early Saturday, Vandy carded a 279 team score – its highest of the event – and finished 15 shots behind champion Florida which was 29-under-par for the tournament.
Georgia and Auburn tied for second (-24) while LSU was fourth (-21). Andrew Kovan of Auburn and Trent Phillips of Georgia each shot an 11-under to share the individual title.
“As a team, we simply didn’t play the type of golf today that you have to play if you want to be able to compete to win,” Vanderbilt head coach Scott Limbaugh said. “Right now it’s literally an SEC Championship each week out so you better bring your best.”
Sophomore William Moll led Vandy with a 6-under-par and came in tied for 11th. Junior Reid Davenport was a stroke behind, tying for 18th, and senior Harrison Ott tied for 24th with a 4-under-par.
Cole Sherwood, a freshman competing as an individual, came in a tie for 35th with a 2-under-par thanks to three birdies in his third round.
Matthew Riedel tied for 71st at 2-over-par and Michael Shears tied for 83rd (+4).
“It was great to be back out on the course competing. I thought we did a great job coming out this morning and finishing round two strong to get in the mix,” Limbaugh said. “Obviously, William played awesome and did a great job responding to adversity as he was 4-over through his first 10 holes of the tournament.
“But the final round today we never had a ton of momentum – although the guys did show a lot of courage finishing the round. Harrison pitched in for eagle on 17 and William birdied his last two holes. That type of competitive character really means a lot now and down the road. Reid and Harrison were solid all week long. It’s exciting to see the way Harry played this week. Reid was steady and in control.”
The Commodores completed their second round Saturday morning and were at 11-under par (546), still eight shots back of first-place Georgia. Moll (-6) had climbed within five shots of Phillips thanks to six birdies in his second round.
Vandy will return to action Feb. 26-28 at the LSU Invitational in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
“We have learned that our actions determine our outcomes,” Limbaugh said. “Our demands have to get higher. I like this team and I like the way we compete. Our team, coaches and players, have to continue to take ownership of our season.”
