The Memphis men’s golf team started Tuesday’s final round in 12th place out of 15 teams, but key performances helped them jump to an impressive sixth place finish with an overall score of 872 (+8) at the Old Waverly Collegiate Championship in West Point, Mississippi.
Redshirt sophomore Eithel McGowen who finished as the highest Tiger on the overall leaderboard, tied for 26th, had a final round score of two-under par, and finished with a final score of 218 (+2). He finished just two points short of his third top-20 finish this season.
The tournament was held and played at Mississippi State University on Monday and Tuesday. At first, it looked as if the Tigers would repeat the 12th place success they had at the same event last year.
After Monday night’s play was suspended due to rain, Memphis was once again sitting in 12th place after posting an opening round score of 297.
However, McGowen started the final round strong and gave Memphis some momentum with a birdie at hole no. 10 and that was the first of three birdies on the day for McGowen.
Freshman Tiger golfer and Memphis native Ben Pearson had a strong final round finishing three-under par on Tuesday. He finished the event tied for 36 overall with a final score of 221.
Two other Tigers redshirt senior Cory Gaylord and junior Thomas Perrot each shot 220 for the tournament to finish in a tie for 30th.
The University of Alabama-Birmingham won the event with an overall score of 850 (-14). The hosts Mississippi State couldn't replicate their first place success from last year, but still finished fourth with a solid team score of 867 (+3).
Memphis’ next tournament will be the American Athletic Conference Championship from April 26-28. The Tigers finished in seventh place last year with a final score of 895.
Tiger golfer Eithel McGowen bounced back on Tuesday, and had a final round score of two-under par. He finished the tournament tied for 26th overall. Photo by Joe Murphy
