University of Tennessee Athletics
Tuesday, March 17
Pauma Valley, Calif.
University of Tennessee
vs
Pauma Valley Collegiate - Round 2
Photo by: Kate Luffman/Tennessee Athletics
#15/16 Vols Maintain Narrow Lead with One Round Remaining at Pauma Valley Invitational
March 17, 2026 | Men's Golf
PAUMA VALLEY, Calif. – The No. 15/16 Tennessee men's golf team has a one-stroke advantage with 18 holes to play at the Pauma Valley Invitational after completing round two of the tournament on Tuesday.
The Vols entered the day with a three-stroke lead atop the 16 team field at Pauma Valley Country Club before firing an even-par 284 in round two to narrowly hold on to pole position with one round remaining. At 11-under-par overall, Tennessee is one stroke ahead of No. 20 Georgia Tech, who improved to 10-under-par on Tuesday, and two strokes ahead of No. 3 Florida, who rounds out the top three at 9-under-par.
Individually, Lance Simpson impressed again for the Vols, climbing into a tie for first place among the 92 golfers competing after two rounds. The senior followed up a joint career-best score in round one with a 3-under-par 68 in Tuesday's second round. After a bogey start on hole one, Simpson carded eagle on hole No. 2 for the second day in a row before adding three more birdies to his tally. At 8-under-par, he is tied with one other golfer for the individual lead as the pair sits two strokes ahead of third place. Simpson is seeking the first individual victory of his career during round three on Wednesday.
Jackson Herrington used another round in the 60s to climb into the top ten of the Pauma Valley Invitational during round two. The sophomore, set to play in the Masters early next month, fired his second consecutive 2-under-par round of 69 to improve to 4-under-par for the tournament. After recording birdies on three of his first four holes on Tuesday, Herrington battled back from bogey troubles in the middle of the round with three birdies on his final seven holes. Tied for ninth place individually, Herrington is four strokes back of Simpson and the lead with one round to play.
An up-and-down day for Josh Hill saw the senior card a 1-over-par 72 for the second consecutive round. After four birdies and three bogeys on the front nine, Hill carded eagle on hole No. 10 for the second day in a row before late bogey troubles saw him fall below par. At 2-over-par overall, Hill is tied for 44th place with 18 holes remaining.
Chase Kyes posted Tennessee's final countable score in round two. After a stellar opening round on Monday, the freshman recorded a 4-over-par 75 in round two. Kyes opened the day with 11 consecutive pars before four bogeys down the stretch saw him fall to even-par through 36 holes of the tournament. He is tied for 29th place ahead of Wednesday's final round.
Competing as an individual outside of the team lineup this week, Reed Lotter had an improved second round performance on Tuesday. After opening the tournament with a 2-over-par 73, the senior responded with a 2-under-par 69 in round two, highlighted by four birdies and an eagle at hole No. 10. At even-par overall, Lotter is tied with Kyes in 29th place through 36 holes.
The Volunteers will look to close out a team title during round three of the Pauma Valley Invitational on Wednesday. Tee times for Tennessee are slated to begin at 12:31 p.m. EST from hole No. 1.
Pauma Valley Invitational Standings (Round Two)
1. Tennessee (-11)
2. Georgia Tech (-10)
3. Florida (-9)
4. LSU (-6)
5. Oklahoma State (-5)
6. Illinois (-4)
7. Ole Miss (-3)
8. SMU (-2)
9. Texas Tech (E)
10. San Diego (+2)
11. Loyola Marymount (+3)
12. Virginia (+4)
13. San Diego State (+8)
14. Toledo (+9)
15. East Tennessee State (+11)
16. Colorado State (+22)
Tennessee Results (Round Two)
T-1. Lance Simpson: 66-68 = 134 (-8)
T-9. Jackson Herrington: 69-69 = 138 (-4)
T-29. Chase Kyes: 67-75 = 142 (E)
T-29. Reed Lotter (i): 73-69 = 142 (E)
T-44. Josh Hill: 72-72 = 144 (+2)
T-75. Luke Smith: 71-78 = 149 (+7)
The Vols entered the day with a three-stroke lead atop the 16 team field at Pauma Valley Country Club before firing an even-par 284 in round two to narrowly hold on to pole position with one round remaining. At 11-under-par overall, Tennessee is one stroke ahead of No. 20 Georgia Tech, who improved to 10-under-par on Tuesday, and two strokes ahead of No. 3 Florida, who rounds out the top three at 9-under-par.
Individually, Lance Simpson impressed again for the Vols, climbing into a tie for first place among the 92 golfers competing after two rounds. The senior followed up a joint career-best score in round one with a 3-under-par 68 in Tuesday's second round. After a bogey start on hole one, Simpson carded eagle on hole No. 2 for the second day in a row before adding three more birdies to his tally. At 8-under-par, he is tied with one other golfer for the individual lead as the pair sits two strokes ahead of third place. Simpson is seeking the first individual victory of his career during round three on Wednesday.
Jackson Herrington used another round in the 60s to climb into the top ten of the Pauma Valley Invitational during round two. The sophomore, set to play in the Masters early next month, fired his second consecutive 2-under-par round of 69 to improve to 4-under-par for the tournament. After recording birdies on three of his first four holes on Tuesday, Herrington battled back from bogey troubles in the middle of the round with three birdies on his final seven holes. Tied for ninth place individually, Herrington is four strokes back of Simpson and the lead with one round to play.
An up-and-down day for Josh Hill saw the senior card a 1-over-par 72 for the second consecutive round. After four birdies and three bogeys on the front nine, Hill carded eagle on hole No. 10 for the second day in a row before late bogey troubles saw him fall below par. At 2-over-par overall, Hill is tied for 44th place with 18 holes remaining.
Chase Kyes posted Tennessee's final countable score in round two. After a stellar opening round on Monday, the freshman recorded a 4-over-par 75 in round two. Kyes opened the day with 11 consecutive pars before four bogeys down the stretch saw him fall to even-par through 36 holes of the tournament. He is tied for 29th place ahead of Wednesday's final round.
Competing as an individual outside of the team lineup this week, Reed Lotter had an improved second round performance on Tuesday. After opening the tournament with a 2-over-par 73, the senior responded with a 2-under-par 69 in round two, highlighted by four birdies and an eagle at hole No. 10. At even-par overall, Lotter is tied with Kyes in 29th place through 36 holes.
The Volunteers will look to close out a team title during round three of the Pauma Valley Invitational on Wednesday. Tee times for Tennessee are slated to begin at 12:31 p.m. EST from hole No. 1.
Pauma Valley Invitational Standings (Round Two)
1. Tennessee (-11)
2. Georgia Tech (-10)
3. Florida (-9)
4. LSU (-6)
5. Oklahoma State (-5)
6. Illinois (-4)
7. Ole Miss (-3)
8. SMU (-2)
9. Texas Tech (E)
10. San Diego (+2)
11. Loyola Marymount (+3)
12. Virginia (+4)
13. San Diego State (+8)
14. Toledo (+9)
15. East Tennessee State (+11)
16. Colorado State (+22)
Tennessee Results (Round Two)
T-1. Lance Simpson: 66-68 = 134 (-8)
T-9. Jackson Herrington: 69-69 = 138 (-4)
T-29. Chase Kyes: 67-75 = 142 (E)
T-29. Reed Lotter (i): 73-69 = 142 (E)
T-44. Josh Hill: 72-72 = 144 (+2)
T-75. Luke Smith: 71-78 = 149 (+7)
Players Mentioned
/ Men's Golf
/ Men's Golf
/ Men's Golf
/ Men's Golf
/ Men's Golf
/ Men's Golf
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