BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — The University of Georgia men’s golf team concluded stroke play at SEC Match Play hosted by Jerry Pate in 11th place on Tuesday morning.
Georgia finished 18 holes on the par-71, 7,226-yard layout on the west course at the Birmingham Country Club shooting two-over 286. The team shot four-under 280 during the first round and a two-over 286 in the second round, putting the team score at an even par 846. Auburn holds the team lead at 41-under 811, followed by Vanderbilt in second at 28-under 824 with Arkansas in third at 25-under.
Ben van Wyk paced the Bulldogs in round three, shooting one-under 70 after closing the round with 16 holes that were par-or-better. Buck Brumlow closely trailed him, ending round three shooting par 71. Brumlow and van Wyk are tied for 28th with a two-under 211 to conclude stroke play.
Connor Creasy ended the back nine two-over but immediately got back to par on the front nine. The graduate student managed to sink hole No. 1, a 378-yard par four, in just two shots to earn his first eagle of the season. He would finish the day one-over 71. Carter Loflin began with a double bogey on his first hole but shot pars on all but two of the remaining 17 holes to card a two-over 73. Caleb Manuel had the non-counted score for the round with a five-over 76. The three all ended tied for 52nd at five-over 218.
The Bulldogs will conclude SEC Match Play hosted by Jerry Pate competing against Missouri on Wednesday morning between 9:50 a.m ET and 10:10 a.m. Auburn and Vanderbilt will square off in match play for the team title, with the remaining 12 teams facing off in match play events on the final day.
This event marks the second of four fall competitions for Georgia, who will next participate in the Ben Hogan Collegiate hosted by TCU on Oct. 2-3. The Bulldogs will round out 2023 at the Ka’anapali Collegiate Classic hosted by Hawaii on Oct. 26-28.