Tennessee Golfers Secure NCAA Championship Bid for Second Year in a Row
AMHERST, Va. – The Tennessee Volunteers men’s golf team has made waves in the sports world, clinching their second consecutive trip to the NCAA Championships after a stellar performance at the NCAA Amherst Regional held at Poplar Grove Golf Club. Wrapping up the event at 5-under par, the Vols showcased resilience and skill, securing an impressive third overall finish.
A Historic Milestone
This remarkable achievement marks the 20th appearance in the NCAA Championships for the Big Orange, a testament to the program’s deep-rooted tradition. Under the stewardship of Coach Brennan Webb, the Vols have made significant strides, having finished 10th last year and tied for 17th in 2023. Notably, this back-to-back appearance is the first since 2010 and 2011, signaling a resurgence in Tennessee’s golf prowess.
Coach Webb’s Praise for His Team
"I’m very proud of the guys," said Coach Webb. "They met the challenge of the most pressure-filled week of the year head on, with a championship mindset and winning-positive attitudes. It was a total team effort, with all five guys contributing in major ways throughout the tournament."
Key Performances Propel Vols
The Vols shot 1-under as a team during the decisive third round, with three players carding below-par efforts. This success confirmed their place at the upcoming championships in Carlsbad, California, scheduled for May 23-28 at the Omni La Costa Resort & Spa.
Lance Simpson Shines Bright
Redshirt junior Lance Simpson had a standout performance, turning around a slow start to finish with a dramatic 4-under for the round. With a total of seven birdies in his final 14 holes, he propelled himself 14 spots up the leaderboard, landing a commendable sixth-place finish (-3) for the tournament.
Simpson has proven to be a consistent performer this season, finishing in the top 10 four times, and now boasts an impressive tally of 24 rounds at par or better. This marks his second top-10 finish at a regional, having previously tied for ninth in Austin last season.
Stellar Contributions from Fellow Players
Junior Josh Hill also earned accolades, tying for 14th overall with a steady performance that included a 1-under finish for the week. He produced multiple under-par rounds, which were crucial to the team’s success.
Freshman talent Christian Pardue showed remarkable promise by tying for 17th place with an even score for the week. His impressive 2-under performance in the third round moved him up the leaderboard by six spots—a sign of potential greatness for this rising star.
Team Efforts Shine Through
In addition to these standout performances, Jackson Herrington and Bruce Murphy rounded out the team’s contributions, finishing in 30th at 4-over and 49th at 9-over, respectively.
Final Leaderboard Highlights
TEAM LEADERBOARD
- Oklahoma: 830 (-10)
- Vanderbilt: 834 (-6)
3. Tennessee: 835 (-5) - Wake Forest: 839 (-1)
- Pepperdine: 849 (+9)
- Arizona: 850 (+10)
- Arkansas: 852 (+12)
- Stanford: 853 (+13)
- LSU: 854 (+14)
- Kent State: 857 (+17)
- Florida Gulf Coast: 861 (+21)
- Princeton: 868 (+28)
- Howard: 906 (+66)
INDIVIDUAL LEADERBOARD
- T6. Lance Simpson: 71-70-66—207 (-3)
- T14. Josh Hill: 68-72-69—209 (-1)
- T17. Christian Pardue: 66-76-68—210 (E)
- T30. Jackson Herrington: 69-69-76—214 (+4)
- T49. Bruce Murphy: 68-74-77—219 (+9)
Looking Ahead: A Championship Awaits!
As the Tennessee Volunteers prepare for their next challenge, fans and supporters alike can look forward to an exciting showdown at the NCAA Championships. Will the Vols rise to the occasion and take home a championship title? Only time will tell! Stay tuned for more updates on this thrilling journey.
