University of Tennessee Athletics
University of Tennessee
SEC Championship
Vols Underway at SEC Championship
April 25, 2014 | Men's Golf
April 25, 2014
ST. SIMONS ISLAND, Ga. -- After one round at the 2014 SEC Championship, the Tennessee men's golf team sits in 12th place with a total of 289 (+9).
On Friday, head coach Jim Kelson got great production from his freshman Jack Smith. Competing in his first SEC Championship, the Knoxville native is tied for 11th place after carding a first round total of 69 (-1). Smith's under-par round was highlighted by an eagle on hole No. 7. Smith's round of 69 marks his third consecutive tournament with at least one round in the 60s.
"Playing in the SEC Championship doesn't really feel much different from other tournaments we've played," Smith said. "I'm just trying to focus on the course and not the competition."
Seniors Danny Keddie and Brandon Rodgers each chipped in day one totals of 73 (+3) and sit tied for 39th place. Keddie notched three birdies while Rodgers sank an eagle on the No. 15 hole.
Sophomore Oliver Goss shot a deceitful first round of 74 (+4). The catalyst for Goss' over-par round was a triple-bogey on No. 13. The Australian is tied for 50th place heading into Saturday's second round. The last time Goss shot a 74 or higher in a collegiate tournament was back in February at the John Hayt Collegiate.
Sophomore Chad Merzbacher rounded out the Volunteers' lineup with a first round total of 80 (+10). Merzbacher struggled on the front nine with a double and triple-bogey, but improved on the back nine with a birdie on No. 15.
On Saturday, Tennessee will look to bounce back when its second round gets underway at 9 a.m. (ET) at the Sea Island Golf Club.
For a full leaderboard rundown, Click Here.
Volunteer fans can continue to keep up with the team by following @Vol_Golf on Twitter.
| TEAM SCORES (Through One Round) | ||
| 1. | Alabama | 272 (-8) |
| 2. | Auburn | 274 (-6) |
| T-3. | Georgia | 277 (-3) |
| T-3. | South Carolina | 277 (-3) |
| 5. | Arkansas | 280 (E) |
| 6. | LSU | 284 (+4) |
| T-7. | Kentucky | 287 (+7) |
| T-7. | Mississippi State | 287 (+7) |
| T-9. | Missouri | 288 (+8) |
| T-9. | Vanderbilt | 288 (+8) |
| T-9. | Texas A&M | 288 (+8) |
| 12. | Tennessee | 289 (+9) |
| T-13. | Ole Miss | 292 (+12) |
| T-13. | Florida | 292 (+12) |
| INDIVIDUAL LEADERS (Through One Round) | ||
| T-1. | Bobby Wyatt, Alabama | 65 (-5) |
| T-1. | Matthew NeSmith, South Carolina | 65 (-5) |
| T-3. | Nicholas Echavarria, Arkansas | 66 (-4) |
| T-3. | Will Murphy, South Carolina | 66 (-4) |
| UT SCORES (Through One Round) | ||
| T-11. | Jack Smith | 69 (-1) |
| T-39. | Brandon Rodgers | 73 (+3) |
| T-39. | Danny Keddie | 73 (+3) |
| T-50. | Oliver Goss | 74 (+4) |
| T-66. | Chad Merzbacher | 80 (+10) |
