Vols Take Seven Shot Lead at Mason Rudolph

Friday, April 5

Franklin, TN

All Day

University of Tennessee

Mason Rudolph Collegiate

April 05, 2019 | Men's Golf

Redshirt junior Nolan Ray tied the fourth lowest round in program history, carding a 64 (-7)

By: Andy Kovar

FRANKLIN, Tenn. – No. 25 University of Tennessee men's golf team holds a seven shot lead on the Mason Rudolph Championship field after one round.

The Vols carded the fifth lowest score in program history, turning in an opening round of 269 (-15) at the Vanderbilt Legends Club in Franklin, Tenn. All six UT players shot par or better on Friday with every player currently tied for 27th or higher in the 90-player field.

Tennessee got off to a hot start on the front nine as the lineup poured in 14 birdies, as it was 9-under-par at the turn. The Vols also closed out the round strong with three birdies on the par-5 17th and an eagle and two birdies on the par-5 18th hole.

Redshirt junior Nolan Ray led the Vols in the first round of the tournament. He carded a bogey-free 64 (-7) which is a career low by two strokes and tied the fourth lowest round in program history.

Ray had four birdies on the front nine, carding all four in consecutive fashion from holes No. 5 to No. 8. After parring the next eight holes, the Brentwood, Tenn. native finished the round going birdie-eagle. Ray enters the second round tied for the lead at 7-under-par with Kentucky's Cullan Brown.

Four other Vols join him in the top 20 on the individual leaderboard as junior Brayden Garrison and junior Rhys Nevin are both tied for 13th at 3-under-par. Garrison helped Tennessee get out to a quick start with birdies on the first two holes of the tournament.

He finished with a team-high six birdies on the day with three on each nine. Just one stroke back of them is junior Hunter Wolcott and sophomore Spencer Cross. Cross, who is playing as an individual had just one bogey in his round and is tied for 18th with Wolcott.

Tennessee will tee off the second round tomorrow at 1:05 p.m. ET. The Vols will be paired with Memphis (-9) and Coastal Carolina (-8) who are second and third, respectively.

Coach's Take
On playing soon after the Hayt win in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.:
"If you are playing well and having success on the course than you want to keep playing. Fortunately for us we are playing well at the most condensed portion of our schedule." – Coach Brennan Webb

On familiarity with the golf course:
"With three of these guys being from the Nashville area and Tyler (Johnson) having played here last year, we were very comfortable and confident in our gameplan and the guys obviously executed it very well." – Coach Brennan Webb

On the opening round from Nolan Ray:
"I am proud of Nolan today. He has always wanted to play in this tournament after growing up playing here. We talked last night about controlling the excitement and emotions of playing at home and with Coach (Bo) Andrews help he did an absolutely wonderful job of that today." – Coach Brennan Webb

Player's Take
On his opening round 64 and familiarity with the course:
"It felt great to be back home on a golf course that I feel really comfortable on. I knew my game has been really close, so I just tried to go out there and forget about results and just play my game. It just so happened that the results came today. My putting and short game were really solid and I just took advantage of the opportunities I had out there."– Redshirt junior Nolan Ray

Day One Scores:
Team

1	Tennessee	-15 (269)
2	Memphis	-9 (275)
3	Coastal Carolina	-8 (276)
4	Northwestern	-6 (278)
T5	Western Kentucky	-5 (279)
T5	Kentucky	-5 (279)
T7	Liberty	-4 (280)
T7	Marquette	-4 (280)
9	Middle Tennessee State	-2 (282)
T10	East Tennessee State	E (284)
T10	Vanderbilt	E (284)
12	Mississippi State	+3 (287)
T13	Ball State	+6 (290)
T13	Georgia Southern	+6 (290)
15	Chattanooga	+7 (291)
T16	Cincinnati	+10 (294)
T16	Vanderbilt (B)	+10 (294)