THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – Vanderbilt men’s golfer Wells Williams captured the individual title at the Southwestern Invitational to open his 2025 spring season, as the junior carded 5-under 208 over three rounds of play at the Sherwood Country Club.
Williams earned medalist honors for the second time in his collegiate career, as he previously won the 2023 Cabo Collegiate during his freshman season. The West Point, Mississippi, native was solid through three days at the Southwestern Invitational. He carded par or better in all three rounds, posting scores of 68-71-69 to end the first tournament of the spring at 5-under 208.
The junior entered Round 3 in third place at 3-under and got off to a hot start. Williams was 4-under through 14 holes to move into first place. The preseason All-American navigated his way through a pair of bogeys on Holes 17 and 18 to end his day as the leader in the clubhouse. Williams had to wait out a trio of contenders after walking off the course, but his attrition paid off, as he posted the 1-stroke victory.
Williams is the second Dore to collect an individual title this season, as junior Ben Loomis won the Colonel Shootout on Sept. 8 to open his 2024-25 season.
The No. 15-ranked Commodores had their best round at the Southwestern Invitational on Wednesday, as Vandy carded 5-under 279. Vanderbilt posted the second-best team score in Round 3 and moved up one spot on the team leaderboard to finish in third place at 4-under 848.
“I thought it was a good day for our team and great to see our older guys step up and play so well,” said Scott Limbaugh, the Thomas F. Roush, M.D. and Family Vanderbilt Men’s Golf Head Coach. “We gave ourselves a chance on the back nine, and it’s so great for all of us to be in the moments and understand what it feels like coming down the stretch. We have some guys that haven’t experienced that as much, and I’m proud of how they hung in there.
“I am thrilled for Wells to get the win against a great field on a demanding golf course. He played great golf all week, was really composed, and handled himself like a stallion today. It is certainly a great way for him to start the spring and give our team a huge lift. He prepared at home really well in the offseason and was disciplined in his work, and I think it’s a great lesson for everyone to learn. I’m also very proud of Ryan, and it was great to see him get his best collegiate finish this week.”
The third-place finish at the…
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