University of Tennessee Athletics
Murphy Claims Victory at Coach Sykes Individual
February 22, 2026 | Men's Golf
RALEIGH, N.C. – Tennessee redshirt junior Bruce Murphy was crowned as the champion of the Coach Sykes Individual on Sunday morning after shooting a 10-under-par 36-hole score in the shortened event.
Murphy opened the tournament on Saturday morning with a hole-in-one on his first hole of the day and didn't look back. He closed the first round with a 4-under-par 67, before further excelling with a bogey-free 6-under-par 65 in round two to sit in first among the 76 golfers competing.
Initially planned to be a 54-hole tournament, the third and final round of the Coach Sykes Individual was canceled on Sunday, meaning Murphy's prolific day one effort was enough to secure the title.
The win marks the second individual victory of Murphy's career, with the first coming in the same event during the 2023-24 season, when he was a redshirt freshman.
Murphy's 11 birdies across two rounds were the third-most in the field.
The biggest competition for Murphy came from teammate Chase Kyes, who closed the event in second place, just one stroke behind at 9-under-par. The freshman posted a 5-under-par 66 before carding a 4-under-par 67 on Saturday to earn runner-up honors.
Also competing for the Vols this weekend was Luke Smith and Reed Lotter, who finished tied for 15th and tied for 31st, respectively.
Coach Sykes Individual Results (Final)
1. Bruce Murphy: 67-65 = 132 (-10)
2. Chase Kyes: 66-67 = 133 (-9)
T-15. Luke Smith: 69-72 = 141 (-1)
T-31. Reed Lotter: 75-70 = 145 (+3)
Murphy opened the tournament on Saturday morning with a hole-in-one on his first hole of the day and didn't look back. He closed the first round with a 4-under-par 67, before further excelling with a bogey-free 6-under-par 65 in round two to sit in first among the 76 golfers competing.
Initially planned to be a 54-hole tournament, the third and final round of the Coach Sykes Individual was canceled on Sunday, meaning Murphy's prolific day one effort was enough to secure the title.
The win marks the second individual victory of Murphy's career, with the first coming in the same event during the 2023-24 season, when he was a redshirt freshman.
Murphy's 11 birdies across two rounds were the third-most in the field.
The biggest competition for Murphy came from teammate Chase Kyes, who closed the event in second place, just one stroke behind at 9-under-par. The freshman posted a 5-under-par 66 before carding a 4-under-par 67 on Saturday to earn runner-up honors.
Also competing for the Vols this weekend was Luke Smith and Reed Lotter, who finished tied for 15th and tied for 31st, respectively.
Coach Sykes Individual Results (Final)
1. Bruce Murphy: 67-65 = 132 (-10)
2. Chase Kyes: 66-67 = 133 (-9)
T-15. Luke Smith: 69-72 = 141 (-1)
T-31. Reed Lotter: 75-70 = 145 (+3)
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