Vanderbilt opens Gator Invitational with five-shot lead

February 16, 2019 | by AmateurGolf.com Staff

Will Gordon (Vanderbilt Athletics photo)

The Commodores are trying to defend their title at the Mark Bostick Golf Course in Gainesville, Fla.

Vanderbilt rebounded on the second round of a 36-hole opening day at the Florida Gators Invitational and will take a five-shot lead into Sunday’s final round. Vanderbilt is the only team under par for 36 holes and leads Liberty by five shots.

The Commodores opened with a 2-over 282 at the par-70 Mark Bostick Golf Course in Gainesville, Fla. It’s a tricky layout with small, ridged greens that puts a premium on short game. That left the team tied for third with host Florida.

In the afternoon round, senior Will Gordon set the pace with a 7-under 63 that included three birdies in his opening four holes and two birdies plus an eagle at No. 18 to end the day. The team dove to 5-under 275, the lowest score of any team for the day.

Gordon is tied for the individual lead at 7 under. North Florida’s Phillip Knowles is also on that number after posting a 63 in the morning round.

Both players were named to the Hogan Award Watch List earlier this week.

Vanderbilt, which is trying to defend its title at this event, is at 3 under for the tournament and ahead of Liberty at 2 over. South Florida is in solo third at 3 over.

Three more teams are also closely in the mix at 4 over. Those teams include Florida, West Virginia and North Florida.

Results: Florida Gators Invitational

Place	Player	Location	Pts	Scores
1	Will Gordon	Davidson, NC	600	70-63-70=203
2	Albin Bergstrom	, Sweden	400	67-68-69=204
3	Philip Knowles	Bradenton, FL	300	63-70-73=206
T4	John Axelsen	, Denmark	300	70-69-68=207
T4	Patrick Martin	Birmingham, AL	300	69-70-68=207