Tennessee golf punches ticket to NCAA Championship

The fifth-ranked Tennessee men’s golf team is off to the NCAA championships after a second place finish at the NCAA Austin Regional. A very rewarding result for Brennan Webb and his team.

“I think with everything like the disappointment of last year and roster change at Christmas time, pressure or being a #1 seed for the first time in the history of the program, it was a lot,” Webb said. “For these guys to take it on and meet every challenge they have been given, couldn’t be more proud. An incredible group of young men who never stopped fighting.”

Tennessee finished their three rounds at the University of Texas Golf Club at 11 under par with only the host Longhorns ahead of them.

Senior Bryce Lewis paced Tennessee overall. The Tennessee all-time career leader in rounds of par or better with 90, fired a final round 70 on to finish at 5-under overall which was good for a tied 5th place finish.

The loss of Caleb Surratt to LIV golf was expected to hurt the Tennessee golf team when he next mid year and Lewis along with fellow senior Jake Hall stepped up.

“Obviously Caleb leaving probably freed Bryce up a little bit,” Webb said. “Caleb cast a pretty big shadow from a talent and personality standpoint. Bryce probably suffered the most from that even though he was his closest friend on the team. Just kind of forgot how good he was. And then to see the finish line coming, that’s always some nice motivation coming. He wanted to get done with his PGA Tour U and get some status and he secured some this week. He has put in a whole lot of work this semester.”

Lewis has multiple wins and some of the best seasons in program history in terms of season scoring average. He is on pace to own the current record for career scoring average with a minimum of 45 rounds.

The top five teams from the Austin Regional advanced to the NCAA Championships, which are scheduled to take place from May 24-39 at Omni La
Costa’s Champions Course in Carlsbad, California.