University of Tennessee Athletics
University of Tennessee
John Hayt Invitational
Vols, Merzbacher Soar on Final Day
February 25, 2014 | Men's Golf
Feb. 25, 2014
Ponte Vedra, Fla. -- The Tennessee men's golf gained redemption on Tuesday at the John Hayt Collegiate Invitational. The Vols entered the final round in 11th place but bounced back to scale the tournament leaderboard and finish tied for seventh.
"We're proud of the way our guys bounced back," head coach Jim Kelson said. "Chad (Merzbacher) had a great final day which really helped us finish strong."
The first round of the tournament was suspended by heavy rains, which forced the 15-team field to finish 36-holes on Monday. The Vols headed into Tuesday final round with a two day total of 593 (+17). On Tuesday, UT unleashed its best round of the tournament, carding 291 (+3).
The resurgence was led by sophomore Chad Merzbacher. The native of Dublin, Ohio shot a Tuesday tournament best of 67 (-5).
"I just hung in there today," Merzbacher said. "I started out hot and I kept going. My mind was always on the next shot and I just made things happen."
Merzbacher entered the final round tied for 47th, but his heroic efforts helped him soar up the leaderboard to 15th place. The finish marks Merzbacher's third top-25 placing of the season.
The highlight of Merzbacher's final round was an eagle on the 11th hole. His final round also consisted of five birdies and only two bogeys.
Oliver Goss finished 32nd after shooting rounds of 75-71-75--221 (+5). Goss sank 11 total birdies through 54-holes.
Danny Keddie tied for 37th and shot a 223 (+7) in his second start of the season. Brandon Rodgers carded a 226 (+10), finishing tied for 52nd. Freshman Jack Smith rounded out the Tennessee lineup by shooting a 235 (+19)
Marshall Talkington competed as an individual for the Vols, finishing tied for 41st after shooting a 224 (+8).
Tennessee returns to action March 3 when the Vols travel to North Carolina for the Davidson College Invitational.
The Hayt Recap:
The No. 2 ranked Oklahoma State Cowboys cruised to a victory at The Hayt. Individually, UCF's Greg Eason edged out UAB's Sam Love by three strokes.
For a final results, Click Here.
Volunteer fans can continue to keep up with the team by following @Vol_Golf on Twitter.
| TEAM SCORES (Final) | ||
| 1. | Oklahoma State | 282-281-282--845 (-19) |
| 2. | UCF | 287-279-289--855 (-9) |
| 3. | UAB | 290-280-289--859 (-5) |
| 4. | North Texas | 299-278-293--870 (+6) |
| 5. | Troy | 300-290-288--878 (+14) |
| 6. | GRU Augusta | 296-286-297--879 (+15) |
| T-7. | Tennessee | 300-293-291--884 (+20) |
| T-7. | North Florida | 290-293-301--884 (+20) |
| 9. | Tulsa | 298-288-299--885 (+21) |
| 10. | Coastal Carolina | 293-294-300--887 (+23) |
| 11. | Louisville | 297-290-302--889 (+25) |
| 12. | Liberty | 297-298-295--890 (+26) |
| 13. | Jacksonville | 313-292-292--897 (+33) |
| 14. | Furman | 300-303-303--906 (+42) |
| 15. | UNCW | 309-294-308--911 (+47) |
| INDIVIDUAL LEADERS (Final) | ||
| 1. | Greg Eason, UCF | 71-65-69--205 (-11) |
| 2. | Sam Love, UAB | 67-68-73--208 (-8) |
| UT SCORES (Final) | ||
| T-15. | Chad Merzbacher | 75-75-67--217 (+1) |
| 32. | Oliver Goss | 75-71-75--221 (+5) |
| T-37. | Danny Keddie | 74-74-75--223 (+7) |
| *T-41. | Marshall Talkington | 74-74-76--224 (+8) |
| T-52. | Brandon Rodgers | 76-74-76--226 (+10) |
| 77. | Jack Smith | 87-74-74--235 (+19) |
