ST. SIMONS ISLAND, Ga. — Vanderbilt began its season Wednesday by ambushing the second round of the Frederica Cup to surge into the lead after 36 holes.
The Commodores shot a blistering 35-under-par for the second round to set an 18-hole NCAA record. Even though the tournament is a play-six, count-five format opposed to the traditional count-four, even that adjusted number for the lowest four scores lands at 32-under-par which breaks Oregon’s previous record of 30-under-par.
“Super exciting to see our guys have a round like that this afternoon,” Vanderbilt head coach Scott Limbaugh said. “We knew we had to have a special round if we wanted to get ourselves back into contention and to go out and play that great was really fun.
“In my opinion, it takes a lot of courage to respond when you know you have to and it says a lot about their competitive character.”
Checking in with @GordonSargent5 after an historic day for the Dores in Georgia.#AnchorDown pic.twitter.com/tFzLpr67pL
— Vanderbilt Men’s Golf (@VandyMGolf) September 7, 2022
At 46-under-par for the tournament, Vandy is two shots of ahead of Oklahoma going into Thursday’s final round.
Vanderbilt was led by William Moll on Wednesday. The senior, who got some encouraging words from former Vanderbilt star and PGA Tour member Will Gordon during Tuesday’s practice round, has the outright lead at 15-under-par.
The Houston, Texas, native found 14 birdies and an eagle during his first 36 holes of the season. Moll had just one bogey all day and leads Calum Scott of Texas Tech by one shot.
Defending individual national champion Gordon Sargent finished with a flourish thanks to a second-round 62. Sargent, tied for fifth overall at 12-under-par, birdied four of his first six holes on the back nine and then eagled his seventh.
Fellow preseason All-American Cole Sherwood is tied for eighth at 10-under-par for the tournament. Sherwood had eight birdies during his second round.
Matthew Riedel was impressive in his 2022-23 debut as well. Also from Houston, Texas, the senior fired a 64 during the second round, a round that included six birdies and an eagle that put him in a tie for 12th overall.
Reid Davenport, who had an eagle during his second round, is tied for 27th at 2-under-par. Jansen Preston is tied for 37th overall at 2-over-par.
“Everybody just went after it.”
— @matthew_riedel7 #AnchorDown pic.twitter.com/xfEIkTcwMR
— Vanderbilt Men’s Golf (@VandyMGolf)
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